SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Santa Maria
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Santa Maria, CA the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators reaches $85,960 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Santa Maria, CA the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators reaches $85,960 a year. That is 43.2% more than the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $57,660 at the tenth percentile to more than $127,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $67,580 to $102,810.
The area has 250 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.50 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $125,160. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 138th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,660 | −3.9% |
| 25th | $67,580 | +12.6% |
| Median (50th) | $85,960 | +43.2% |
| 75th | $102,810 | +71.3% |
| 90th | $127,550 | +112.5% |
| Mean | $88,190 | +46.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $125,160 | 1,040 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $108,190 | 460 | |
| 3 | Vallejo | $106,150 | 200 | |
| 4 | Napa | $101,540 | 100 | |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $94,060 | 80 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $85,950 | 1,010 | |
| 7 | San Luis Obispo | $83,190 | 200 | |
| 8 | Riverside | $82,780 | 1,580 | |
| 9 | Los Angeles | $82,460 | 2,230 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $82,200 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Maria run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $85,960 buys what $77,651 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 29.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$85,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$77,651US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,960 a year, 43.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,660 to $127,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $125,160.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Santa Maria, CA?
The median annual wage is $85,960, or $41.33 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 Santa Maria, CA is 43.2% 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 Santa Maria, CA earns more than $127,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,660 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 San Francisco, at $125,160 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in Santa Maria, CA. 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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