Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary
In Colorado, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $74,200 at the median, or about $35.68 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $74K get you in Colorado?
About water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by metro in Colorado
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $76K | +3% | 960 |
| Boulder | $74K | +0% | 170 |
| Grand Junction | $74K | -0% | 60 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $73K | -1% | 170 |
| Colorado Springs | $66K | -11% | 230 |
| Greeley | $66K | -11% | 220 |
Compare to other states
Track water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 42.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,008/month.
Is water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $74K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?
Colorado pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +24%.
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Colorado?
The median is $74,200 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,130, and experienced water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators can clear $95,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,777/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 42.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary is worth about $74,200 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.