SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Kansas
Kansas · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Kansas is $46,780 a year, trailing the national median of $60,020 by 22.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Kansas is $46,780 a year, trailing the national median of $60,020 by 22.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $40,830 and $56,240. The lowest tenth earn under $35,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $66,800.
The area has 1,560 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.31 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Kansas ranks number 45th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Lawrence records the highest median at $60,530. Of the 669 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 454th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,870 | −40.2% |
| 25th | $40,830 | −32.0% |
| Median (50th) | $46,780 | −22.1% |
| 75th | $56,240 | −6.3% |
| 90th | $66,800 | +11.3% |
| Mean | $49,290 | −17.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kansas
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kansas run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $46,780 goes as far as $51,920 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,920US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,780 a year, 22.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,870 to $66,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,560 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lawrence, at $60,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kansas?
The median annual wage is $46,780, or $22.49 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Kansas is 22.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kansas earns more than $66,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lawrence, at $60,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,560 jobs in this occupation in Kansas. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data