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

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

84% career growth potential

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

Entry-Level (P10)
$45,920
$3,827/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$62,880
$5,240/mo
Senior (P90)
$84,580
$7,048/mo

Colorado vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$45,920
National: $39,936
+15.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$62,880
National: $55,607
+13.1%
Senior (P90)
$84,580
National: $76,554
+10.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Colorado spans from $45,920 at entry-level to $84,580 at senior level — a difference of $38,660 per year.

P10
$45K
P25
$51K
Median
$62K
P75
$77K
P90
$84K

Career Growth Premium: +84%

Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Colorado earn $38,660 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$38,660
Monthly Difference
+$3,222
Hourly Difference
+$18.59
Growth Multiple
1.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $45,920 $3,827 $22.08
Early Career P25 $51,340 $4,278 $24.68
Mid-Career Median $62,880 $5,240 $30.23
Experienced P75 $77,920 $6,493 $37.46
Senior / Expert P90 $84,580 $7,048 $40.66
Key Insight

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Colorado has a moderate salary progression with a 84% growth from entry-level ($45,920) to senior ($84,580). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($62,880) and P90 ($84,580) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Colorado Compares to Other States

Where does Colorado rank for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators senior-level salaries? Compare Colorado'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 $45,920 per year, or $3,826 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $51,340. 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 $84,580 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $77,920. This represents a career premium of 84% 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 84%. Entry-level professionals start at $45,920, while senior-level can earn up to $84,580 — a difference of $38,660 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 Colorado, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $84,580 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 Colorado 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 Colorado.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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