SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Oregon
Oregon · 6 metro areas compared
In Oregon the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $69,720 a year, which is 16.2% higher than the national figure of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Oregon the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $69,720 a year, which is 16.2% higher than the national figure of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $60,670 and $80,540. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,270 and the ninetieth at $87,880.
The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Oregon ranks 8th by median wage. Portland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $83,860. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 327th of 727 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,270 | −16.2% |
| 25th | $60,670 | +1.1% |
| Median (50th) | $69,720 | +16.2% |
| 75th | $80,540 | +34.2% |
| 90th | $87,880 | +46.4% |
| Mean | $70,620 | +17.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Oregon
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Oregon run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $69,720 buys what $67,427 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$69,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,427US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $69,720 a year, 16.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,270 to $87,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Portland, at $83,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Oregon?
The median annual wage is $69,720, or $33.52 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 Oregon is 16.2% higher. 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 Oregon earns more than $87,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,270 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 Portland, at $83,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,240 jobs in this occupation in Oregon. 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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