LSLocalSalaryHub

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Fort Wayne, IN

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$61,240

Mean: $60,100

~$47,767 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$29.44

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 100/100

Monthly surplus

$1,740/mo

Savings rate

41%

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Fort Wayne, IN — median $61,240/year, range $49,670-$75,290

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$49,670

Median

$61,240

75th %

$75,290

Median is in the 45th percentile of the typical range

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in other IN cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in IN.

About Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in Fort Wayne, IN

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $61,240 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $60,100, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in this area earn between $49,670 and $75,290. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $29.44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

↓↓ -3% growthDecline (BLS 2024–2034)

-3% as modern plants need fewer operators per shift. But here's the thing: experienced operators are retiring faster than positions are being cut, and aging infrastructure requires skilled maintenance. The people who stay in the field have strong job security.

Worth knowing: The highest-level state certifications (Level 4/A) are your bargaining chip. They're hard to get, they take years, and facilities can't legally operate without enough certified operators on shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Fort Wayne?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $61,240. The average (mean) is $60,100, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make per hour in Fort Wayne?

About $29.44/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Fort Wayne?

The middle 50% earn between $49,670 and $75,290. Below $49,670 is typically entry-level; above $75,290 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $61,240 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$61,240$47,767
Monthly$5,103$3,981
Biweekly$2,355$1,837
Weekly$1,178$919
Hourly (40h/wk)$29.44$22.96
Hourly (35h/wk)$33.65$26.25
Hourly (30h/wk)$39.26$30.62
Daily (8h)$236$184

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Fort Wayne

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

Get Salary Alerts

Be the first to know when Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries change in Fort Wayne, IN.

Free alerts · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime

See more salary data

More pages tied to this occupation and region.