{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "dataset_id": "oews-occupation-v1",
  "version": "v1",
  "occupation": {
    "soc_code": "51-8031",
    "soc_title": "Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators",
    "slug": "water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators-51-8031",
    "major_group": "51-0000 Production Occupations"
  },
  "headline": {
    "annual_median_wage_usd": 60020,
    "annual_mean_wage_usd": 62540,
    "employment_total": 128490,
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "wages": {
    "annual": {
      "p10": 39110,
      "p25": 48040,
      "median": 60020,
      "p75": 74780,
      "p90": 91060,
      "mean": 62540,
      "ratio_90_to_10": 2.33
    },
    "hourly": {
      "p10": 18.8,
      "p25": 23.1,
      "median": 28.86,
      "p75": 35.95,
      "p90": 43.78,
      "mean": 30.07
    }
  },
  "employment": {
    "total": 128490,
    "share_of_us_employment_pct": 0.08,
    "source": {
      "name": "BLS OEWS — National employment estimate",
      "url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000051803101",
      "series_id": "OEUN000000000000051803101",
      "as_of": "2025-05-31"
    }
  },
  "wages_source": {
    "name": "BLS OEWS — National wage estimates",
    "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/",
    "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
    "series_ids": {
      "annual_median": "OEUN000000000000051803113",
      "annual_mean": "OEUN000000000000051803104",
      "annual_p10": "OEUN000000000000051803111",
      "annual_p25": "OEUN000000000000051803112",
      "annual_p75": "OEUN000000000000051803114",
      "annual_p90": "OEUN000000000000051803115"
    },
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "top_paying_msas": [],
  "top_employing_msas": [],
  "verdict": "The 90/10 ratio for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is 2.33× — the national median is $60,020 but top decile earns $91,060. The spread exists; it's concentrated in geography, specialization, and industry sector. Knowing which end of the band you're on is the whole negotiation.",
  "submitted_components": null,
  "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
  "fetched_at": "2026-05-25T02:53:52.141Z"
}