SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Tucson
Tucson, AZ · 6 metro areas compared
At $58,390, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tucson, AZ tracks the national median of $60,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $58,390, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tucson, AZ tracks the national median of $60,020 closely. Pay ranges from under $42,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $72,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,640 to $62,570.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.80 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Phoenix records the highest median at $63,660. Of the 490 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 234th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,020 | −30.0% |
| 25th | $47,640 | −20.6% |
| Median (50th) | $58,390 | −2.7% |
| 75th | $62,570 | +4.2% |
| 90th | $72,710 | +21.1% |
| Mean | $57,060 | −4.9% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | $63,660 | 2,570 | |
| 2 | Flagstaff | $58,680 | 130 | |
| 3 | Lake Havasu City | $52,570 | 200 | |
| 4 | Prescott Valley | $49,730 | 160 | |
| 5 | Yuma | $49,090 | 170 | |
| 6 | Sierra Vista | $48,930 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tucson sit close to the national average, so $58,390 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$58,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,984US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,390 a year, 2.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,020 to $72,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Phoenix, at $63,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tucson, AZ?
The median annual wage is $58,390, or $28.07 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 Tucson, AZ is 2.7% 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 Tucson, AZ earns more than $72,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,020 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 Phoenix, at $63,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Tucson, AZ. 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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