Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $85,790 at the median — $41.24 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $78,062 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 78.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $86K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K.Top earners bring in $116K or more - a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $82K | +41% | 11,260 |
| Nevada | $79K | +36% | N/A |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 1,950 |
| Alaska | $77K | +32% | 570 |
| New Jersey | $75K | +29% | 2,040 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +28% | 750 |
| Minnesota | $70K | +21% | 2,050 |
| New Hampshire | $66K | +14% | 930 |
| Hawaii | $66K | +13% | 660 |
| Massachusetts | $66K | +13% | 2,480 |
| Oregon | $65K | +11% | 1,170 |
| Illinois | $64K | +9% | 3,870 |
| New York | $63K | +8% | 5,270 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | +7% | 2,110 |
| Vermont | $62K | +6% | 340 |
Track water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $85,790 a year - that works out to about $41.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,160, and experienced water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators can clear $115,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,385/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 78.3% 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary is worth about $78,062 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.