SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Louisiana
Louisiana · 9 metro areas compared
In Louisiana the median wage is $46,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisiana the median wage is $46,210. That is 23.0% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $31,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $63,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,120 to $55,910.
The area has 2,450 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.53 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Louisiana ranks number 47th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, New Orleans records the highest median at $49,930. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 444th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,440 | −47.6% |
| 25th | $37,120 | −38.2% |
| Median (50th) | $46,210 | −23.0% |
| 75th | $55,910 | −6.8% |
| 90th | $63,870 | +6.4% |
| Mean | $48,160 | −19.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $49,930 | 620 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $47,290 | 300 | |
| 3 | Lake Charles | $47,270 | 150 | |
| 4 | Slidell | $47,260 | 90 | |
| 5 | Houma | $45,110 | 130 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $45,080 | 110 | |
| 7 | Alexandria | $45,050 | 60 | |
| 8 | Monroe | $42,440 | 110 | |
| 9 | Shreveport | $37,120 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $46,210 goes as far as $52,392 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,392US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,210 a year, 23.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,440 to $63,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,450 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $49,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $46,210, or $22.22 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 Louisiana is 23.0% 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 Louisiana earns more than $63,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,440 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 New Orleans, at $49,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,450 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. 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.
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