SalaryNode

Average Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

In the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metropolitan area, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn an average annual salary of $56,790. This figure is slightly below the national average of $60,280, suggesting localized market dynamics and potentially a different supply-demand balance influence compensation in this region. The cost of living in Orlando aligns precisely with the national average, meaning the purchasing power of this salary is comparable to other areas.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $56,790 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.4% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $76,380.
  • Outlook: The job market for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, shows a moderate level of concentration, with a Location Quotient of 0.52, indicating fewer operators per worker compared to the national average. The total local workforce of 600 individuals suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these essential services. While the concentration is below average, the consistent need for water and wastewater management ensures ongoing employment opportunities.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$56,790

The average Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL earns-5.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$27.3

Weekly

$1,092

Monthly

$4,733

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary Distribution in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

Career progression for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, is typically marked by increasing salary levels. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized certifications can command salaries significantly higher than the average. The salary distribution, with distinct percentile gaps, reflects the value placed on accumulated knowledge, responsibility, and expertise in managing complex water and wastewater systems.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$37,990$18.3
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$42,593$20.5
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$56,030$26.9
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$70,988$34.1
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$76,380$36.7

Detailed Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$56,790

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$56,790

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $56,790 in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, is effectively neutral in terms of purchasing power when compared to the national average, given the local Cost of Living Index is exactly 100. This means that a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator earning the average salary in Orlando will find their income stretches as far as it would in a typical U.S. city, making it neither a particularly high-cost nor low-cost relocation destination from a salary perspective.

Job Market Context

600

Total Jobs

0.427

Per 1K Jobs

0.52

Location Quotient

Below Average

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL has 0.52x the national average concentration of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

With a Location Quotient of 0.52, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, market for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the demand for these professionals exists, the supply might be relatively more abundant, or the industry is not a dominant employer in the region compared to other sectors. This lower concentration could imply fewer job openings relative to the overall workforce size, but also potentially less competition for available positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL?

The median annual salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL is $56,790. This typically ranges from $37,990 for entry-level positions to $76,380 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL is 5.8% lower than the national median of $60,280.

Is Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL a lucrative place for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?

No, it is not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $56,790 is below the national average of $60,280, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.

Is Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL a good place to live for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?

The Cost of Living Index in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL ($53,750) and Wildwood-The Villages, FL.

How does the Orlando salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL is $56,790, which is lower than the national average of $60,280.

What is the cost of living in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL?

The cost of living index for Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL is 100, which is exactly the national average, indicating that the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the country.

How concentrated is the job market for this role in Orlando?

The job market for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Orlando is less concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 0.52, suggesting fewer such jobs relative to the overall workforce.

What is the total workforce size for this occupation in Orlando?

There are approximately 600 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators employed in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 600 employees in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL area with a job density of 0.427 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.