Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Kentucky? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
92% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Kentucky salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kentucky spans from $33,210 at entry-level to $63,740 at senior level — a difference of $30,530 per year.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Kentucky earn $30,530 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary increases with experience in Kentucky, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $33,210 | $2,768 | $15.97 |
| Early Career | P25 | $36,050 | $3,004 | $17.33 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $45,430 | $3,786 | $21.84 |
| Experienced | P75 | $57,510 | $4,792 | $27.65 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $63,740 | $5,312 | $30.64 |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Kentucky has a moderate salary progression with a 92% growth from entry-level ($33,210) to senior ($63,740). 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 ($45,430) and P90 ($63,740) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Kentucky rank for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators senior-level salaries? Compare Kentucky's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $33,210 per year, or $2,767 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $36,050. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $63,740 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $57,510. This represents a career premium of 92% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is 92%. Entry-level professionals start at $33,210, while senior-level can earn up to $63,740 — a difference of $30,530 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is Kentucky, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $63,740 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 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.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Kentucky's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Kentucky's leading institutions.
See how Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay grows from entry-level to senior across the top-paying states.
Drill deeper into Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay, hiring, and education data for Kentucky.
Salary percentile data for Kentucky from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. 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 Kentucky.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS