SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Trenton
Trenton-Princeton, NJ · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Trenton, NJ is $63,130 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Trenton, NJ is $63,130 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $59,780 and $79,110. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $53,330 and the ninetieth at $82,940.
The area has 150 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Vineland records the highest median at $80,040. Of the 434 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 256th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,330 | −11.1% |
| 25th | $59,780 | −0.4% |
| Median (50th) | $63,130 | +5.2% |
| 75th | $79,110 | +31.8% |
| 90th | $82,940 | +38.2% |
| Mean | $67,180 | +11.9% |
Other metro areas in New Jersey
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland | $80,040 | 60 | |
| 2 | Atlantic City | $65,300 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Trenton run 8.8% above the national average, so the median of $63,130 buys what $58,024 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
108.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,024US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,130 a year, 5.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,330 to $82,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Vineland, at $80,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Trenton, NJ?
The median annual wage is $63,130, or $30.35 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 Trenton, NJ is 5.2% 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 Trenton, NJ earns more than $82,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,330 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 Vineland, at $80,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Trenton, NJ. 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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