Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Alabama (2024)

How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Alabama? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

127% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Alabama salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$30,040
$2,503/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$46,740
$3,895/mo
Senior (P90)
$68,220
$5,685/mo

Alabama vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$30,040
National: $39,936
-24.8%
Mid-Career (Median)
$46,740
National: $55,607
-15.9%
Senior (P90)
$68,220
National: $76,554
-10.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Alabama spans from $30,040 at entry-level to $68,220 at senior level — a difference of $38,180 per year.

P10
$30K
P25
$37K
Median
$46K
P75
$60K
P90
$68K

Career Growth Premium: +127%

Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Alabama earn $38,180 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$38,180
Monthly Difference
+$3,182
Hourly Difference
+$18.36
Growth Multiple
2.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary increases with experience in Alabama, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $30,040 $2,503 $14.44
Early Career P25 $37,240 $3,103 $17.90
Mid-Career Median $46,740 $3,895 $22.47
Experienced P75 $60,330 $5,028 $29.00
Senior / Expert P90 $68,220 $5,685 $32.80
Key Insight

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Alabama shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $30,040, while senior-level professionals earn $68,220 — a 127% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($46,740) and experienced level ($60,330), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Alabama Compares to Other States

Where does Alabama rank for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators senior-level salaries? Compare Alabama's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$130,020
Entry: $53K
+144%
2
$112,560
Entry: $49K
+128%
3
$105,000
Entry: $58K
+79%
4
$100,640
Entry: $43K
+129%
5
$98,680
Entry: $53K
+84%
6
$97,130
Entry: $39K
+144%
7
$93,850
Entry: $45K
+107%
8
$93,560
Entry: $46K
+101%
9
$89,200
Entry: $39K
+127%
10
$88,830
Entry: $37K
+139%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?

Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $30,040 per year, or $2,503 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $37,240. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make?

Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $68,220 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $60,330. This represents a career premium of 127% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?

The career salary growth potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is 127%. Entry-level professionals start at $30,040, while senior-level can earn up to $68,220 — a difference of $38,180 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is Alabama, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $68,220 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Alabama from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Alabama.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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