SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Virginia
Virginia · 8 metro areas compared
At $59,420, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia tracks the national median of $60,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $59,420, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia tracks the national median of $60,020 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,590 at the tenth percentile to more than $79,470 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,980 to $73,600.
Employment stands at 3,460, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Virginia ranks number 28th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Charlottesville records the highest median at $62,460. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 397th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,590 | −35.7% |
| 25th | $47,980 | −20.1% |
| Median (50th) | $59,420 | −1.0% |
| 75th | $73,600 | +22.6% |
| 90th | $79,470 | +32.4% |
| Mean | $60,500 | +0.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $62,460 | 80 | |
| 2 | Harrisonburg | $61,970 | 80 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $59,970 | 380 | |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $59,610 | 640 | |
| 5 | Lynchburg | $49,180 | 50 | |
| 6 | Staunton | $48,800 | 50 | |
| 7 | Winchester | $48,120 | 50 | |
| 8 | Roanoke | $46,620 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $59,420 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$59,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,773US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,420 a year, 1.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,590 to $79,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,460 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 28th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $62,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $59,420, or $28.57 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 Virginia is 1.0% 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 Virginia earns more than $79,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,590 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 Charlottesville, at $62,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,460 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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