Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Texas
In Texas, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $48,110 at the median — $23.13 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in Texas?
About water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Texas
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by metro in Texas
25 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $60K | +24% | 850 |
| Waco | $59K | +23% | 120 |
| Odessa | $52K | +9% | 70 |
| Corpus Christi | $52K | +8% | 140 |
| Midland | $52K | +8% | 270 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $51K | +7% | 1,960 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $51K | +7% | 1,870 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $50K | +5% | 700 |
| Tyler | $49K | +1% | 140 |
| Sherman-Denison | $49K | +1% | 100 |
| El Paso | $48K | +1% | 290 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $48K | +1% | 190 |
| College Station-Bryan | $47K | -2% | 80 |
| Victoria | $46K | -4% | 40 |
| Lubbock | $46K | -5% | 70 |
| Killeen-Temple | $45K | -6% | 190 |
| Abilene | $45K | -6% | 110 |
| Longview | $44K | -8% | 150 |
| Laredo | $43K | -10% | 70 |
| Amarillo | $42K | -13% | 80 |
| Wichita Falls | $41K | -14% | 130 |
| San Angelo | $41K | -14% | 60 |
| Texarkana | $39K | -19% | 70 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $37K | -23% | 170 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $37K | -24% | 350 |
Showing 1–10 of 25 metros
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Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Texas?
The median is $48,110 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,660, and experienced water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators can clear $65,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,391/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 41.7% 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 Texas?
Texas 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 $52,585 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.