SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Northwestern Wisconsin
Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $57,280 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $57,280 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $50,690 and $61,530. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,650 and the ninetieth at $62,600.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 3.24 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Racine leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $74,880. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 102nd of 236 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,650 | −15.6% |
| 25th | $50,690 | −15.5% |
| Median (50th) | $57,280 | −4.6% |
| 75th | $61,530 | +2.5% |
| 90th | $62,600 | +4.3% |
| Mean | $56,710 | −5.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racine | $74,880 | 50 | |
| 2 | Madison | $71,850 | 150 | |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $69,440 | 50 | |
| 4 | Green Bay | $67,190 | 140 | |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $66,980 | 440 | |
| 6 | Oshkosh | $66,450 | 80 | |
| 7 | Appleton | $64,820 | 90 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $64,650 | 30 | |
| 9 | Janesville | $64,290 | 50 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $63,550 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $57,280 goes as far as $60,871 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,871US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,280 a year, 4.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,650 to $62,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Racine, at $74,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $57,280, or $27.54 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 Northwestern Wisconsin, WI is 4.6% 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 Northwestern Wisconsin, WI earns more than $62,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,650 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 Racine, at $74,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI. 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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