SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA · 10 metro areas compared
In Pittsburgh, PA the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $65,480 a year, which is 9.1% higher than the national figure of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Pittsburgh, PA the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $65,480 a year, which is 9.1% higher than the national figure of $60,020. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $56,520 and $77,750. The lowest tenth earn under $45,750, while the highest tenth earn more than $89,170.
The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $66,680. Of the 645 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 233rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,750 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $56,520 | −5.8% |
| Median (50th) | $65,480 | +9.1% |
| 75th | $77,750 | +29.5% |
| 90th | $89,170 | +48.6% |
| Mean | $67,040 | +11.7% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $66,680 | 1,650 | |
| 2 | Altoona | $65,110 | 70 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $64,190 | 320 | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $63,680 | 280 | |
| 5 | Lancaster | $63,630 | 260 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | $61,980 | 40 | |
| 7 | Reading | $61,300 | 190 | |
| 8 | York | $61,250 | 180 | |
| 9 | Scranton | $61,110 | 200 | |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $60,530 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pittsburgh run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $65,480 goes as far as $67,090 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,090US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,480 a year, 9.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,750 to $89,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $66,680.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median annual wage is $65,480, or $31.48 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 Pittsburgh, PA is 9.1% 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 Pittsburgh, PA earns more than $89,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,750 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 Philadelphia, at $66,680 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,020 jobs in this occupation in Pittsburgh, PA. 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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