Water / Wastewater Treatment Operator: metro pay ranking

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Skilled Trades Headhunters compares published medians for SOC 51-8031 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, not estimated offers for this particular title.

Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?

This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.

Highest and lowest published metro medians
Metro	Median	Employment	Location quotient	Trade median / all-occupations median
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$125,160	1,040	0.53	1.69
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$108,190	460	0.49	1.29
Vallejo, CA	$106,150	200	1.67	1.81
Napa, CA	$101,540	100	1.61	1.84
Fairbanks-College, AK	$99,840	40	1.25	1.62
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$99,010	830	0.48	1.36
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$94,060	80	1.01	1.72
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$88,270	70	0.66	1.42
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$87,840	40	0.87	1.78
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$87,310	90	1.97	1.47
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$85,960	250	1.5	1.66
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$85,950	1,010	1.13	1.44
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$84,450	300	0.32	1.81
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$83,860	450	0.45	1.38
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$83,320	3,690	0.47	1.36
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$83,190	200	1.96	1.64
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$82,780	1,580	1.11	1.71
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$82,460	2,230	0.43	1.48
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$82,200	190	1.1	1.45
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$81,810	170	0.51	1.33
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$81,600	280	1.17	1.67
Bellingham, WA	$81,430	80	1.08	1.41
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$81,240	130	0.6	1.49
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$81,100	330	0.67	1.35
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$80,750	80	0.76	1.41
Anchorage, AK	$80,740	150	1.05	1.34
Chico, CA	$80,360	100	1.62	1.67
New Haven, CT	$80,130	130	0.56	1.33
Vineland, NJ	$80,040	60	1.1	1.66
Reno, NV	$79,770	160	0.7	1.61
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$79,630	880	0.69	1.36
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$79,290	1,770	0.47	1.45
Bloomington, IL	$79,220	60	0.85	1.49
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$79,100	90	1.18	1.25
Modesto, CA	$78,710	210	1.28	1.56
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$78,610	130	1.26	1.37
Yuba City, CA	$78,520	100	2.35	1.57
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$78,350	320	1.2	1.49
Rochester, MN	$78,270	80	0.82	1.29
Salinas, CA	$77,920	190	1.22	1.64
Rockford, IL	$77,830	90	0.82	1.65
Redding, CA	$77,550	90	1.57	1.59
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$77,170	1,010	0.63	1.30
Jacksonville, FL	$77,150	460	0.72	1.58
Merced, CA	$76,790	110	1.63	1.63
Visalia, CA	$76,580	190	1.34	1.70
Bozeman, MT	$76,390	70	1.09	1.39
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$76,150	960	0.72	1.22
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$75,400	150	1.14	1.47
Yakima, WA	$75,290	90	1.13	1.57
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$74,880	50	0.8	1.53
El Centro, CA	$74,790	100	1.91	1.66
St. Cloud, MN	$74,670	100	1.17	1.47
Boulder, CO	$74,270	170	1.08	1.07
Grand Junction, CO	$73,920	60	1.09	1.52
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$73,600	1,630	0.63	1.04
Barnstable Town, MA	$73,460	140	1.78	1.30
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$73,330	1,460	0.65	1.10
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$73,330	170	1.24	1.33
Medford, OR	$73,270	40	0.48	1.47
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	$72,010	70	1.41	1.81
Madison, WI	$71,850	150	0.45	1.24
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$70,250	80	0.59	1.41
Santa Fe, NM	$69,870	240	4.65	1.43
Mankato, MN	$69,830	60	1.34	1.41
Sheboygan, WI	$69,440	50	0.91	1.34
Jacksonville, NC	$68,120	70	1.57	1.69
Urban Honolulu, HI	$67,840	340	0.91	1.19
Lincoln, NE	$67,650	70	0.48	1.36
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$67,450	330	1	1.30
Fresno, CA	$67,260	400	1.02	1.43
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$67,250	90	0.9	1.12
Green Bay, WI	$67,190	140	0.95	1.35
Worcester, MA	$67,190	360	1.23	1.16
Albany, OR	$67,060	40	0.96	1.35
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$66,980	440	0.65	1.31
Ann Arbor, MI	$66,770	130	0.69	1.21
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$66,680	1,650	0.69	1.23
Missoula, MT	$66,550	60	1.02	1.39
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$66,450	80	1.02	1.23
Kokomo, IN	$66,230	40	1.23	1.35
Springfield, MA	$66,200	160	0.97	1.27
Colorado Springs, CO	$65,970	230	0.9	1.25
Fargo, ND-MN	$65,970	80	0.61	1.29
Greeley, CO	$65,840	220	2.24	1.20
Duluth, MN-WI	$65,640	180	1.78	1.31
Pittsburgh, PA	$65,480	1,020	1.11	1.32
Monroe, MI	$65,360	60	1.64	1.41
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$65,300	140	0.99	1.37
Salem, OR	$65,270	100	0.67	1.18
Altoona, PA	$65,110	70	1.42	1.47
Appleton, WI	$64,820	90	0.86	1.30
Kenosha, WI	$64,650	30	0.52	1.34
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$64,640	460	1.66	1.36
Dubuque, IA	$64,420	60	1.16	1.32
Longview-Kelso, WA	$64,420	30	0.97	1.12
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$64,320	60	1.54	1.33
Lima, OH	$64,310	50	1.28	1.36
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$64,290	50	0.93	1.33
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$64,190	320	1.02	1.31
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$64,100	120	0.7	1.13
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$64,000	80	1.4	1.12
Greenville, NC	$63,900	70	1.06	1.37
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$63,890	120	1.77	1.35
Gainesville, FL	$63,860	90	0.72	1.36
Portland-South Portland, ME	$63,810	230	0.96	1.12
Columbus, OH	$63,700	730	0.8	1.24
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$63,680	280	1.01	1.28
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$63,660	2,570	1.31	1.24
Lancaster, PA	$63,630	260	1.23	1.32
Eau Claire, WI	$63,550	80	1.17	1.32
Iowa City, IA	$63,450	110	1.48	1.27
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$63,440	220	1.46	1.31
Cleveland, OH	$63,260	1,020	1.2	1.26
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$63,260	140	0.78	1.20
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$63,130	150	0.77	0.99
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$63,120	360	0.98	1.08
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$63,080	580	1.32	1.24
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$63,000	150	1.03	1.32
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$62,960	1,610	0.69	1.29
Rochester, NY	$62,950	360	0.89	1.23
Grand Island, NE	$62,920	40	1.21	1.27
Cedar Rapids, IA	$62,800	130	1.15	1.27
Sandusky, OH	$62,790	70	1.64	1.40
Omaha, NE-IA	$62,660	240	0.58	1.26
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$62,550	280	1.27	1.23
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$62,510	690	1.01	1.13
Charlottesville, VA	$62,460	80	0.85	1.13
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$62,440	670	1.14	1.16
Dover, DE	$62,410	80	1.49	1.34
Bend, OR	$62,310	100	1.08	1.14
Decatur, IL	$62,150	50	1.29	1.21
St. George, UT	$62,000	160	2.09	1.37
Lebanon, PA	$61,980	40	0.89	1.33
Harrisonburg, VA	$61,970	80	1.46	1.34
Lewiston, ID-WA	$61,830	70	2.87	1.28
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$61,760	1,160	0.74	1.19
Ames, IA	$61,730	70	1.54	1.23
Champaign-Urbana, IL	$61,720	90	1.01	1.22
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$61,660	390	1.08	1.32
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$61,660	60	0.87	1.28
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$61,640	370	0.6	1.19
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$61,610	850	0.8	1.08
Huntsville, AL	$61,550	210	0.95	1.19
Bismarck, ND	$61,530	60	1.09	1.17
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$61,460	960	1.06	1.23
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$61,360	130	0.46	1.01
Ithaca, NY	$61,360	40	0.9	1.06
Reading, PA	$61,300	190	1.31	1.24
Port St. Lucie, FL	$61,290	180	1.29	1.32
HVAC manufacturers-Hanover, PA	$61,250	180	1.19	1.27
Fort Wayne, IN	$61,240	130	0.67	1.28
Spartanburg, SC	$61,240	250	1.84	1.29
Pittsfield, MA	$61,230	80	1.78	1.18
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$61,110	200	0.93	1.32
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$61,050	410	1.34	1.22
Elmira, NY	$61,050	40	1.56	1.28
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$60,980	170	1.13	1.27
Waco, TX	$60,930	140	1.29	1.32
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$60,910	130	2.17	1.06
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	$60,890	80	1.67	1.34
Syracuse, NY	$60,840	190	0.76	1.15
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	$60,790	60	0.6	1.26
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$60,770	350	0.7	1.28
Ogden, UT	$60,720	270	1.22	1.24
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$60,640	910	0.82	1.03
Flint, MI	$60,560	160	1.43	1.32
Billings, MT	$60,530	80	0.98	1.23
Chambersburg, PA	$60,530	90	1.73	1.27
Lawrence, KS	$60,530	80	1.94	1.28
Johnstown, PA	$60,500	70	1.86	1.37
Akron, OH	$60,410	240	0.92	1.24
Traverse City, MI	$60,390	90	1.59	1.27
Dalton, GA	$60,380	60	1.04	1.43
Peoria, IL	$60,380	120	0.88	1.22
Wilmington, NC	$60,190	170	1.05	1.31
Grand Forks, ND-MN	$60,160	80	1.9	1.21
Fond du Lac, WI	$60,140	40	1	1.19
State College, PA	$59,990	110	1.86	1.22
Richmond, VA	$59,970	380	0.69	1.17
Niles, MI	$59,940	70	1.33	1.30
Kankakee, IL	$59,870	70	2.12	1.31
Florence, SC	$59,840	80	1.09	1.38
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$59,760	80	1.23	1.27
Glens Falls, NY	$59,750	100	2.42	1.22
Kingston, NY	$59,750	140	2.78	1.19
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$59,740	880	0.96	1.19
Wausau, WI	$59,730	50	0.85	1.22
Bay City, MI	$59,620	80	2.92	1.31
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$59,610	640	1.02	1.21
Erie, PA	$59,180	120	1.24	1.33
Knoxville, TN	$59,120	460	1.32	1.26
Jackson, MI	$59,110	50	0.98	1.24
Wildwood-The Villages, FL	$59,060	90	2.73	1.29
Springfield, IL	$58,990	50	0.56	1.12
Bangor, ME	$58,980	70	1.21	1.23
Fayetteville, NC	$58,850	90	0.84	1.29
Toledo, OH	$58,740	430	1.79	1.22
Flagstaff, AZ	$58,680	130	2.35	1.24
Boise City, ID	$58,640	370	1.16	1.19
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$58,600	790	0.71	1.17
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$58,590	380	1.34	1.24
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$58,590	1,330	1.12	1.20
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$58,570	330	1.33	1.22
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$58,530	690	0.76	1.19
Tucson, AZ	$58,390	260	0.8	1.22
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	$58,360	40	0.7	1.27
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$58,350	370	1.46	1.25
Decatur, AL	$58,270	90	1.79	1.26
St. Louis, MO-IL	$57,850	1,220	1.1	1.16
Owensboro, KY	$57,810	70	1.77	1.29
Rapid City, SD	$57,780	190	3.18	1.25
Helena, MT	$57,410	60	1.67	1.04
Minot, ND	$57,320	70	2.4	1.17
Gadsden, AL	$57,280	70	2.44	1.56
Williamsport, PA	$57,090	50	1.32	1.24
Great Falls, MT	$56,900	30	1.07	1.22
Ocala, FL	$56,580	60	0.63	1.29
Twin Falls, ID	$56,520	100	2.37	1.24
Lexington Park, MD	$56,440	80	1.39	0.88
Coeur d'Alene, ID	$56,380	100	1.63	1.18
Logan, UT-ID	$56,160	90	1.57	1.21
Birmingham, AL	$56,130	550	1.28	1.18
Binghamton, NY	$55,380	80	1.01	1.12
Tallahassee, FL	$55,170	110	0.71	1.19
Columbia, SC	$55,070	490	1.49	1.19
Evansville, IN	$55,050	110	0.99	1.18
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	$54,720	110	1.31	1.12
Corpus Christi, TX	$54,700	120	0.74	1.21
Auburn-Opelika, AL	$54,590	90	1.47	1.40
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$54,460	270	0.53	1.16
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	$53,690	70	2.07	1.13
Punta Gorda, FL	$53,600	150	3.1	1.18
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	$53,490	100	0.87	1.15
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$53,340	80	2.25	1.17
Macon-Bibb County, GA	$53,330	30	0.38	1.18
Saginaw, MI	$52,820	110	1.6	1.14
Kansas City, MO-KS	$52,770	740	0.82	1.04
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	$52,570	200	4.24	1.19
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$52,510	170	1.26	1.08
Battle Creek, MI	$52,230	60	1.4	1.07
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$52,230	530	0.93	1.08
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$52,200	770	0.66	1.12
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$52,160	1,460	0.61	1.02
Paducah, KY-IL	$52,160	70	1.71	1.14
Canton-Massillon, OH	$52,150	210	1.55	1.14
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$51,940	1,980	0.73	1.05
Tuscaloosa, AL	$51,870	190	2.08	1.15
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$51,820	270	1.25	1.12
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$51,790	450	1.37	1.05
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$51,780	1,910	0.57	1.01
Elizabethtown, KY	$51,720	60	1.42	1.10
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$51,700	100	1.09	1.09
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$51,680	230	0.76	1.11
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$51,630	600	0.64	1.10
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$51,570	150	2.13	1.34
Montgomery, AL	$51,470	180	1.35	1.15
Warner Robins, GA	$51,250	90	1.5	1.05
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	$51,210	60	2.08	1.22
Rocky Mount, NC	$51,100	60	1.23	1.16
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	$51,030	150	1.47	1.07
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	$50,960	60	1.62	1.15
Utica-Rome, NY	$50,920	150	1.57	1.04
Savannah, GA	$50,830	160	0.96	1.08
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$50,770	140	0.62	1.09
Asheville, NC	$50,740	90	0.63	1.08
Idaho Falls, ID	$50,680	90	1.3	1.08
Cleveland, TN	$50,670	70	1.86	1.26
St. Joseph, MO-KS	$50,670	90	1.96	1.07
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$50,660	290	2.21	1.16
Mansfield, OH	$50,610	80	2.09	1.13
Oklahoma City, OK	$50,460	630	1.12	1.07
Columbus, GA-AL	$50,310	110	1.15	1.16
Columbia, MO	$50,270	90	1.03	1.06
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	$50,270	150	1.21	1.33
Sherman-Denison, TX	$50,150	100	2.2	1.12
El Paso, TX	$50,030	270	0.98	1.27
Tulsa, OK	$49,990	620	1.64	1.07
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$49,930	620	1.67	1.06
Tyler, TX	$49,860	100	1.05	1.17
Winston-Salem, NC	$49,790	190	0.84	1.07
College Station-Bryan, TX	$49,770	80	0.71	1.12
Joplin, MO-KS	$49,750	100	1.37	1.11
Muncie, IN	$49,750	70	1.9	1.13
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$49,740	180	0.96	1.08
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$49,730	160	2.62	1.07
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$49,640	290	1.57	1.10
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$49,540	160	1.02	1.07
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$49,280	310	1.36	1.06
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$49,280	240	1	1.01
Springfield, MO	$49,270	150	0.79	1.08
Lynchburg, VA	$49,180	50	0.66	1.06
Yuma, AZ	$49,090	170	2.98	1.11
Jackson, TN	$49,070	90	1.36	1.10
Dothan, AL	$49,040	90	1.89	1.28
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	$48,930	90	3.21	1.04
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	$48,830	110	3.8	1.07
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	$48,800	50	1.22	1.02
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	$48,650	170	2.45	1.11
Topeka, KS	$48,570	100	1.03	0.98
Jefferson City, MO	$48,550	70	0.99	1.01
Beckley, WV	$48,340	110	2.96	1.16
Albuquerque, NM	$48,190	700	2.1	1.00
Anniston-Oxford, AL	$48,130	50	1.38	1.13
Winchester, VA-WV	$48,120	50	0.94	1.02
Farmington, NM	$48,080	200	5.07	1.05
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$48,070	230	1.14	0.98
Midland, TX	$47,930	220	2.19	0.88
Mobile, AL	$47,730	200	1.38	1.02
Albany, GA	$47,650	40	0.85	1.09
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$47,560	140	1.44	1.05
Manhattan, KS	$47,490	70	1.52	1.03
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$47,420	400	1.34	1.04
Las Cruces, NM	$47,350	200	3.08	1.13
Wheeling, WV-OH	$47,330	140	2.97	1.07
Lubbock, TX	$47,320	80	0.57	1.12
Baton Rouge, LA	$47,290	300	0.89	0.97
Victoria, TX	$47,280	30	1.11	1.10
Lake Charles, LA	$47,270	150	1.82	1.03
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$47,260	90	1.11	1.08
Johnson City, TN	$47,220	130	1.93	1.09
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$47,210	200	1.75	1.06
Salisbury, MD	$47,210	70	1.62	0.97
Longview, TX	$47,190	130	1.37	1.05
Burlington, NC	$47,110	50	0.93	1.07
Jackson, MS	$47,070	180	0.79	1.10
Morristown, TN	$46,680	60	1.61	1.05
Abilene, TX	$46,660	90	1.39	1.05
Roanoke, VA	$46,620	140	1.11	0.99
Charleston, WV	$46,570	180	2.15	1.02
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$46,550	230	1.77	1.07
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	$46,540	100	1.37	1.03
Morgantown, WV	$46,490	40	0.7	0.98
Killeen-Temple, TX	$46,170	190	1.5	0.99
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$46,080	170	1.3	1.02
Gainesville, GA	$46,040	130	1.54	1.00
Sumter, SC	$45,930	50	1.72	1.07
Wichita, KS	$45,890	210	0.83	0.96
Clarksville, TN-KY	$45,820	160	1.91	1.02
Bowling Green, KY	$45,650	60	0.94	1.01
Laredo, TX	$45,150	70	0.73	1.21
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	$45,110	130	1.91	0.99
Lafayette, LA	$45,080	110	0.76	1.08
Alexandria, LA	$45,050	60	1.13	1.11
Terre Haute, IN	$45,030	60	1.18	1.00
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA	$44,930	50	1.18	1.07
Wichita Falls, TX	$44,840	130	2.88	1.04
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$44,780	50	0.53	0.92
Hinesville, GA	$44,730	40	2.35	0.96
Athens-Clarke County, GA	$44,580	70	0.94	1.08
Sebring, FL	$44,420	40	1.58	1.10
Hattiesburg, MS	$43,750	30	0.67	1.16
Amarillo, TX	$43,220	80	0.76	0.97
San Angelo, TX	$42,640	70	1.67	0.98
Monroe, LA	$42,440	110	1.52	1.11
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	$41,470	180	1.36	1.14
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$40,830	190	2.38	1.03
Lawton, OK	$40,190	60	1.6	0.95
Bloomington, IN	$40,010	80	1.32	0.84
Jonesboro, AR	$39,570	80	1.59	0.94
Rome, GA	$39,370	50	1.26	0.92
Texarkana, TX-AR	$39,260	40	0.86	0.91
Valdosta, GA	$37,960	30	0.68	0.97
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$37,800	330	1.33	1.05
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	$37,120	220	1.64	0.83
Hot Springs, AR	$35,520	60	1.89	0.97
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$29,220	970	1.71	0.99

The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.

Where does this trade pay most relative to local wages?

Occupation median divided by the same area's all-occupations median
Area	Wage ratio	Median	Location quotient
Napa, CA	1.84	$101,540	1.61
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL	1.81	$72,010	1.41
Vallejo, CA	1.81	$106,150	1.67
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	1.81	$84,450	0.32
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	1.78	$87,840	0.87
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	1.72	$94,060	1.01
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	1.71	$82,780	1.11
Visalia, CA	1.70	$76,580	1.34
Jacksonville, NC	1.69	$68,120	1.57
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	1.69	$125,160	0.53
Chico, CA	1.67	$80,360	1.62
Stockton-Lodi, CA	1.67	$81,600	1.17
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	1.66	$85,960	1.5
Vineland, NJ	1.66	$80,040	1.1
El Centro, CA	1.66	$74,790	1.91
Rockford, IL	1.65	$77,830	0.82
Salinas, CA	1.64	$77,920	1.22
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	1.64	$83,190	1.96
Merced, CA	1.63	$76,790	1.63
Fairbanks-College, AK	1.62	$99,840	1.25
Reno, NV	1.61	$79,770	0.7
Redding, CA	1.59	$77,550	1.57
Jacksonville, FL	1.58	$77,150	0.72
Yakima, WA	1.57	$75,290	1.13
Yuba City, CA	1.57	$78,520	2.35
Gadsden, AL	1.56	$57,280	2.44
Modesto, CA	1.56	$78,710	1.28
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	1.53	$74,880	0.8
Grand Junction, CO	1.52	$73,920	1.09
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	1.49	$78,350	1.2
Bloomington, IL	1.49	$79,220	0.85
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	1.49	$81,240	0.6
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	1.48	$82,460	0.43
Altoona, PA	1.47	$65,110	1.42
St. Cloud, MN	1.47	$74,670	1.17
Medford, OR	1.47	$73,270	0.48
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	1.47	$75,400	1.14
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	1.47	$87,310	1.97
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	1.45	$79,290	0.47
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	1.45	$82,200	1.1
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	1.44	$85,950	1.13
Santa Fe, NM	1.43	$69,870	4.65
Fresno, CA	1.43	$67,260	1.02
Dalton, GA	1.43	$60,380	1.04
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	1.42	$88,270	0.66
Eugene-Springfield, OR	1.41	$70,250	0.59
Monroe, MI	1.41	$65,360	1.64
Mankato, MN	1.41	$69,830	1.34
Kennewick-Richland, WA	1.41	$80,750	0.76
Bellingham, WA	1.41	$81,430	1.08
Auburn-Opelika, AL	1.40	$54,590	1.47
Sandusky, OH	1.40	$62,790	1.64
Bozeman, MT	1.39	$76,390	1.09
Missoula, MT	1.39	$66,550	1.02
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	1.38	$83,860	0.45
Florence, SC	1.38	$59,840	1.09
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	1.37	$65,300	0.99
St. George, UT	1.37	$62,000	2.09
Greenville, NC	1.37	$63,900	1.06
Johnstown, PA	1.37	$60,500	1.86
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	1.37	$78,610	1.26
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	1.36	$99,010	0.48
Lima, OH	1.36	$64,310	1.28
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	1.36	$64,640	1.66
Lincoln, NE	1.36	$67,650	0.48
Gainesville, FL	1.36	$63,860	0.72
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	1.36	$79,630	0.69
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	1.36	$83,320	0.47
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	1.35	$81,100	0.67
Kokomo, IN	1.35	$66,230	1.23
Albany, OR	1.35	$67,060	0.96
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	1.35	$63,890	1.77
Green Bay, WI	1.35	$67,190	0.95
Harrisonburg, VA	1.34	$61,970	1.46
Anchorage, AK	1.34	$80,740	1.05
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	1.34	$60,890	1.67
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	1.34	$51,570	2.13
Kenosha, WI	1.34	$64,650	0.52
Sheboygan, WI	1.34	$69,440	0.91
Dover, DE	1.34	$62,410	1.49
New Haven, CT	1.33	$80,130	0.56
Lebanon, PA	1.33	$61,980	0.89
Erie, PA	1.33	$59,180	1.24
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	1.33	$81,810	0.51
Janesville-Beloit, WI	1.33	$64,290	0.93
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	1.33	$64,320	1.54
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	1.33	$73,330	1.24
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	1.33	$50,270	1.21
Waco, TX	1.32	$60,930	1.29
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	1.32	$61,660	1.08
Dubuque, IA	1.32	$64,420	1.16
Eau Claire, WI	1.32	$63,550	1.17
Flint, MI	1.32	$60,560	1.43
Lancaster, PA	1.32	$63,630	1.23
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	1.32	$61,110	0.93
Pittsburgh, PA	1.32	$65,480	1.11
Port St. Lucie, FL	1.32	$61,290	1.29
Naples-Marco Island, FL	1.32	$63,000	1.03
Wilmington, NC	1.31	$60,190	1.05
Duluth, MN-WI	1.31	$65,640	1.78
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	1.31	$64,190	1.02
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	1.31	$66,980	0.65
Bay City, MI	1.31	$59,620	2.92
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	1.31	$63,440	1.46
Kankakee, IL	1.31	$59,870	2.12
Niles, MI	1.30	$59,940	1.33
Barnstable Town, MA	1.30	$73,460	1.78
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	1.30	$67,450	1
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	1.30	$77,170	0.63
Appleton, WI	1.30	$64,820	0.86
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	1.29	$62,960	0.69
Fargo, ND-MN	1.29	$65,970	0.61
Rochester, MN	1.29	$78,270	0.82
Fayetteville, NC	1.29	$58,850	0.84
Wildwood-The Villages, FL	1.29	$59,060	2.73
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	1.29	$108,190	0.49
Ocala, FL	1.29	$56,580	0.63
Owensboro, KY	1.29	$57,810	1.77
Spartanburg, SC	1.29	$61,240	1.84
Dothan, AL	1.28	$49,040	1.89
Fort Wayne, IN	1.28	$61,240	0.67
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	1.28	$63,680	1.01
Lewiston, ID-WA	1.28	$61,830	2.87
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	1.28	$61,660	0.87
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	1.28	$60,770	0.7
Lawrence, KS	1.28	$60,530	1.94
Elmira, NY	1.28	$61,050	1.56
Springfield, MA	1.27	$66,200	0.97
Grand Island, NE	1.27	$62,920	1.21
Chambersburg, PA	1.27	$60,530	1.73
Cedar Rapids, IA	1.27	$62,800	1.15
Traverse City, MI	1.27	$60,390	1.59
HVAC manufacturers-Hanover, PA	1.27	$61,250	1.19
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	1.27	$60,980	1.13
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	1.27	$59,760	1.23
Iowa City, IA	1.27	$63,450	1.48
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	1.27	$58,360	0.7
El Paso, TX	1.27	$50,030	0.98
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	1.26	$60,790	0.6
Omaha, NE-IA	1.26	$62,660	0.58
Cleveland, OH	1.26	$63,260	1.2
Cleveland, TN	1.26	$50,670	1.86
Decatur, AL	1.26	$58,270	1.79
Knoxville, TN	1.26	$59,120	1.32
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	1.25	$79,100	1.18
Colorado Springs, CO	1.25	$65,970	0.9
Rapid City, SD	1.25	$57,780	3.18
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	1.25	$58,350	1.46
Twin Falls, ID	1.24	$56,520	2.37
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	1.24	$63,080	1.32
Ogden, UT	1.24	$60,720	1.22
Columbus, OH	1.24	$63,700	0.8
Reading, PA	1.24	$61,300	1.31
Williamsport, PA	1.24	$57,090	1.32
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	1.24	$63,660	1.31
Jackson, MI	1.24	$59,110	0.98
Madison, WI	1.24	$71,850	0.45
Akron, OH	1.24	$60,410	0.92
Flagstaff, AZ	1.24	$58,680	2.35
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	1.24	$58,590	1.34
Billings, MT	1.23	$60,530	0.98
Bangor, ME	1.23	$58,980	1.21
Rochester, NY	1.23	$62,950	0.89
Ames, IA	1.23	$61,730	1.54
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	1.23	$66,450	1.02
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	1.23	$66,680	0.69
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	1.23	$62,550	1.27
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	1.23	$61,460	1.06
Wausau, WI	1.22	$59,730	0.85
Great Falls, MT	1.22	$56,900	1.07
Tucson, AZ	1.22	$58,390	0.8
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	1.22	$76,150	0.72
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	1.22	$61,050	1.34
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	1.22	$58,570	1.33
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	1.22	$51,210	2.08
State College, PA	1.22	$59,990	1.86
Toledo, OH	1.22	$58,740	1.79
Peoria, IL	1.22	$60,380	0.88
Champaign-Urbana, IL	1.22	$61,720	1.01
Glens Falls, NY	1.22	$59,750	2.42
Laredo, TX	1.21	$45,150	0.73
Decatur, IL	1.21	$62,150	1.29
Logan, UT-ID	1.21	$56,160	1.57
Grand Forks, ND-MN	1.21	$60,160	1.9
Corpus Christi, TX	1.21	$54,700	0.74
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	1.21	$59,610	1.02
Ann Arbor, MI	1.21	$66,770	0.69
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	1.20	$63,260	0.78
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	1.20	$58,590	1.12
Greeley, CO	1.20	$65,840	2.24
Fond du Lac, WI	1.19	$60,140	1
Kingston, NY	1.19	$59,750	2.78
Boise City, ID	1.19	$58,640	1.16
Huntsville, AL	1.19	$61,550	0.95
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	1.19	$52,570	4.24
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	1.19	$58,530	0.76
Columbia, SC	1.19	$55,070	1.49
Tallahassee, FL	1.19	$55,170	0.71
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	1.19	$61,760	0.74
Raleigh-Cary, NC	1.19	$61,640	0.6
Urban Honolulu, HI	1.19	$67,840	0.91
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.19	$59,740	0.96
Evansville, IN	1.18	$55,050	0.99
Macon-Bibb County, GA	1.18	$53,330	0.38
Coeur d'Alene, ID	1.18	$56,380	1.63
Pittsfield, MA	1.18	$61,230	1.78
Salem, OR	1.18	$65,270	0.67
Punta Gorda, FL	1.18	$53,600	3.1
Birmingham, AL	1.18	$56,130	1.28
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	1.17	$58,600	0.71
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	1.17	$53,340	2.25
Minot, ND	1.17	$57,320	2.4
Bismarck, ND	1.17	$61,530	1.09
Tyler, TX	1.17	$49,860	1.05
Richmond, VA	1.17	$59,970	0.69
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	1.16	$62,440	1.14
Rocky Mount, NC	1.16	$51,100	1.23
Worcester, MA	1.16	$67,190	1.23
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	1.16	$54,460	0.53
Hattiesburg, MS	1.16	$43,750	0.67
St. Louis, MO-IL	1.16	$57,850	1.1
Youngstown-Warren, OH	1.16	$50,660	2.21
Columbus, GA-AL	1.16	$50,310	1.15
Beckley, WV	1.16	$48,340	2.96
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	1.15	$53,490	0.87
Syracuse, NY	1.15	$60,840	0.76
Tuscaloosa, AL	1.15	$51,870	2.08
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	1.15	$50,960	1.62
Montgomery, AL	1.15	$51,470	1.35
Saginaw, MI	1.14	$52,820	1.6
Bend, OR	1.14	$62,310	1.08
Canton-Massillon, OH	1.14	$52,150	1.55
Paducah, KY-IL	1.14	$52,160	1.71
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	1.14	$41,470	1.36
Manchester-Nashua, NH	1.13	$64,100	0.7
Mansfield, OH	1.13	$50,610	2.09
Charlottesville, VA	1.13	$62,460	0.85
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	1.13	$62,510	1.01
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY	1.13	$53,690	2.07
Muncie, IN	1.13	$49,750	1.9
Anniston-Oxford, AL	1.13	$48,130	1.38
Las Cruces, NM	1.13	$47,350	3.08
Sherman-Denison, TX	1.12	$50,150	2.2
Lubbock, TX	1.12	$47,320	0.57
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	1.12	$51,820	1.25
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	1.12	$64,000	1.4
Longview-Kelso, WA	1.12	$64,420	0.97
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN	1.12	$54,720	1.31
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	1.12	$67,250	0.9
Portland-South Portland, ME	1.12	$63,810	0.96
Springfield, IL	1.12	$58,990	0.56
Binghamton, NY	1.12	$55,380	1.01
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	1.12	$52,200	0.66
College Station-Bryan, TX	1.12	$49,770	0.71
Monroe, LA	1.11	$42,440	1.52
Yuma, AZ	1.11	$49,090	2.98
Greensboro-High Point, NC	1.11	$51,680	0.76
Alexandria, LA	1.11	$45,050	1.13
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	1.11	$48,650	2.45
Joplin, MO-KS	1.11	$49,750	1.37
Elizabethtown, KY	1.10	$51,720	1.42
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	1.10	$49,640	1.57
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	1.10	$73,330	0.65
Sebring, FL	1.10	$44,420	1.58
Jackson, MS	1.10	$47,070	0.79
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	1.10	$51,630	0.64
Victoria, TX	1.10	$47,280	1.11
Jackson, TN	1.10	$49,070	1.36
Albany, GA	1.09	$47,650	0.85
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	1.09	$51,700	1.09
Chattanooga, TN-GA	1.09	$50,770	0.62
Johnson City, TN	1.09	$47,220	1.93
Idaho Falls, ID	1.08	$50,680	1.3
Asheville, NC	1.08	$50,740	0.63
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	1.08	$61,610	0.8
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	1.08	$49,740	0.96
Athens-Clarke County, GA	1.08	$44,580	0.94
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	1.08	$47,260	1.11
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1.08	$52,230	0.93
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	1.08	$52,510	1.26
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	1.08	$63,120	0.98
Lafayette, LA	1.08	$45,080	0.76
Springfield, MO	1.08	$49,270	0.79
Savannah, GA	1.08	$50,830	0.96
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	1.07	$51,030	1.47
Winston-Salem, NC	1.07	$49,790	0.84
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	1.07	$49,730	2.62
Battle Creek, MI	1.07	$52,230	1.4
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	1.07	$49,540	1.02
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA	1.07	$44,930	1.18
Tulsa, OK	1.07	$49,990	1.64
Sumter, SC	1.07	$45,930	1.72
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	1.07	$46,550	1.77
Burlington, NC	1.07	$47,110	0.93
St. Joseph, MO-KS	1.07	$50,670	1.96
Wheeling, WV-OH	1.07	$47,330	2.97
Oklahoma City, OK	1.07	$50,460	1.12
Boulder, CO	1.07	$74,270	1.08
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH	1.07	$48,830	3.8
Lynchburg, VA	1.06	$49,180	0.66
Columbia, MO	1.06	$50,270	1.03
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	1.06	$47,210	1.75
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	1.06	$49,280	1.36
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	1.06	$60,910	2.17
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	1.06	$49,930	1.67
Ithaca, NY	1.06	$61,360	0.9
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	1.05	$37,800	1.33
Warner Robins, GA	1.05	$51,250	1.5
Morristown, TN	1.05	$46,680	1.61
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	1.05	$51,790	1.37
Abilene, TX	1.05	$46,660	1.39
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	1.05	$47,560	1.44
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	1.05	$51,940	0.73
Farmington, NM	1.05	$48,080	5.07
Longview, TX	1.05	$47,190	1.37
Helena, MT	1.04	$57,410	1.67
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	1.04	$48,930	3.21
Utica-Rome, NY	1.04	$50,920	1.57
Kansas City, MO-KS	1.04	$52,770	0.82
Wichita Falls, TX	1.04	$44,840	2.88
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	1.04	$73,600	0.63
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	1.04	$47,420	1.34
Manhattan, KS	1.03	$47,490	1.52
Lake Charles, LA	1.03	$47,270	1.82
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	1.03	$46,540	1.37
Fort Smith, AR-OK	1.03	$40,830	2.38
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	1.03	$60,640	0.82
Winchester, VA-WV	1.02	$48,120	0.94
Clarksville, TN-KY	1.02	$45,820	1.91
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	1.02	$52,160	0.61
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	1.02	$46,080	1.3
Charleston, WV	1.02	$46,570	2.15
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	1.02	$48,800	1.22
Mobile, AL	1.02	$47,730	1.38
Lexington-Fayette, KY	1.01	$49,280	1
Bowling Green, KY	1.01	$45,650	0.94
Jefferson City, MO	1.01	$48,550	0.99
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	1.01	$61,360	0.46
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	1.01	$51,780	0.57
Terre Haute, IN	1.00	$45,030	1.18
Gainesville, GA	1.00	$46,040	1.54
Albuquerque, NM	1.00	$48,190	2.1
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	0.99	$63,130	0.77
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	0.99	$29,220	1.71
Killeen-Temple, TX	0.99	$46,170	1.5
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	0.99	$45,110	1.91
Roanoke, VA	0.99	$46,620	1.11
Morgantown, WV	0.98	$46,490	0.7
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	0.98	$48,070	1.14
Topeka, KS	0.98	$48,570	1.03
San Angelo, TX	0.98	$42,640	1.67
Hot Springs, AR	0.97	$35,520	1.89
Baton Rouge, LA	0.97	$47,290	0.89
Valdosta, GA	0.97	$37,960	0.68
Amarillo, TX	0.97	$43,220	0.76
Salisbury, MD	0.97	$47,210	1.62
Wichita, KS	0.96	$45,890	0.83
Hinesville, GA	0.96	$44,730	2.35
Lawton, OK	0.95	$40,190	1.6
Jonesboro, AR	0.94	$39,570	1.59
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	0.92	$44,780	0.53
Rome, GA	0.92	$39,370	1.26
Texarkana, TX-AR	0.91	$39,260	0.86
Lexington Park, MD	0.88	$56,440	1.39
Midland, TX	0.88	$47,930	2.19
Bloomington, IN	0.84	$40,010	1.32
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	0.83	$37,120	1.64

Broader occupation Our title "Water / Wastewater Treatment Operator" is reported by BLS as SOC 51-8031 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators. BLS groups Water / Wastewater Treatment Operator within Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.

National percentile table Methodology