Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators land at $60,020 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is California ($81,770); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn more nationally. The median is $60,020 for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -6.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators at $81,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn $81,770 vs. $47,720 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.