Utilities Operator Salary in the United States

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  1. Compensation Data
  2. > Salary
  3. > Utilities Operator
  4. > United States

Last Updated: July 11, 2026

$51,111 USD

per year
Hourly Rate $24.57
Bonus $864

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Entry Level $37K
Average $51K
Senior Level $61K

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The average pay for a Utilities Operator is $51,111, which is $24.57 an hour in the United States. The average salary range for a Utilities Operator is between $36,800 and $61,435. On average, a High School is the highest level of education for a Utilities Operator.

This compensation analysis comes from aggregated salary survey data for the United States. ERI's compensation information is based on employer-reported data collected from ERI's salary surveys, customer HRIS data, data from Proxies/10Ks and Forms 990, proprietary databases, and purchased survey data. Cost-of-labor data in the Assessor Series are based on actual housing sales data from commercially available sources, plus rental rates, gasoline prices, consumables, medical care premium costs, property taxes, effective income tax rates, etc. For more information, see ERI's methodology.

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Salary Potential for Utilities Operator

Explore the estimated salary growth for Utilities Operator in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of Utilities Operator in 1 year will be $52,435, and in 5 years, will be $58,082.

Number of Years

2 Years

Estimated Salary

$53,793 USD

Percentage Growth

0%

Growth Trajectory

The estimated salary growth for Utilities Operator in [# of years] is [salary], which is [average growth %] average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.

What Does an Utilities Operator Do?

Installs, operates, and repairs utility systems such as water piping, wastewater plants, electrical cabling, or manufacturing equipment. Uses mobile equipment, including forklift vehicles and skid steers. Receives, reads, and understands both verbal and written instruction. Performs basic maintenance and sanitation tasks. Ensures that equipment, work areas, and work procedures are in compliance with the regulatory codes and company requirements. Adheres to occupational health and safety guidelines. Demonstrates ability to be trained on all equipment and fills in for vacant production line positions whenever needed.

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Education, Skills, and Certifications for Utilities Operators

Gain access to salary differentials for education and skills in ERI's Salary Assessor

Education

Below is the average education level for an Utilities Operator. About 88% have a High School Diploma, 12% have a Associate degree, and 0% have a Doctorate degree.

  • High School Diploma 88%
  • Associate Degree 12%
  • Doctorate Degree 0%
  • Master's Degree 0%
  • Bachelor's Degree 0%
  • Less Than HS 0%

Top Skills

Below are top skills for an Utilities Operator. 100% of Utilities Operators have a skill in Adjusts valves. The top 3 most popular skills for Utilities Operators are Adjusts valves and Reads meters.

  • Adjusts valves 100%
  • Reads meters 100%

Do you have certifications for Utilities Operator?

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Compare Utilities Operator Salaries by Location

See how Utilities Operator salaries vary by region and find the best location for your career.

Average Salaries for Utilities Operator

The average salary of utilities operator in the United States is $51,111. The average salary of utilities operator in California is $58,623. The average salary of utilities operator in Canada is $56,643. Explore the average salaries for utilities operator in other locations below.

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Cost of Living in the United States

The cost of living in the United States is 0% equal to than the national average.

Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.

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Why Your Salary May Look Different

This information is based on a specific job title and location, but real-world compensation can vary based on factors like years of experience, company size, shift differentials, and more. Because of these variables, your actual pay may fall above or below the average ranges shown. Use ERI's salary data and compensation management platform to identify market trends and accurately adjust pay so that you can price jobs competitively.

Based on the average salary in the United States, if your shift differential is 10%, then your pay will increase by $2.46/hour

*Some jobs may not be adjusted using shift differentials. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Utilities Operator salaries and career insights

How much does a Utilities Operator make in the United States?

ERI's data indicated that, on average, a Utilities Operator is $51,111 per year or $24.57 per hour in the United States, which is 1% lower than the national average. Top earners have reported making up to $61,435. However, the typical pay range in the United States, is between $36,800 and $61,435 annually.

What is the salary potential for Utilities Operator in 5 years?

Utilities Operator is projected to see 13.6% salary growth in 5 years.

What are some factors that impact Utilities Operator salaries?

Several factors can impact the salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect the role can provide opportunities to earn more. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns.

How can I accurately price jobs for my organization?

There are several factors that can impact the salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, education, certificates, shift differentials, and more. Understanding how these factors affect the role can help you spot pay gaps and retain top talent. ERI's Assessor Platform brings these factors together in one platform, making it easy to benchmark roles, analyze insights, and set pay with confidence.

What is ERI Economic Research Institute?

ERI Economic Research Institute was founded over 35 years ago to provide trusted compensation data for private and public organizations. ERI has established itself as a gold standard for global salary benchmarking and geographic differentials and has evolved to offer a complete compensation management software solution.

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With decades of experience in compensation, ERI offers an extensive and reliable salary survey database powered by the Assessor Platform, a comprehensive compensation management solution that optimizes complex processes for accuracy and efficiency.

HR and compensation professionals in organizations ranging from small companies to the Fortune 500 rely on ERI's Assessor Platform to:

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How often does ERI's compensation database get updated?

ERI's team of PhD-level data scientists and seasoned compensation professionals review and validate our salary data approximately every six weeks, ensuring the accuracy of the data that we publish. Learn more about our methodology.

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About Our Data

This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.

For over 35 years, ERI has compiled the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.

Verified Sources

Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.

Real-Time Data

Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.

Quality Assurance

Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.

10,500+

Locations

35,900+

Job Titles

4,400+

Skills

5,500+

Certifications

1,100+

Industries

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