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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Nebraska (2025)

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 Nebraska? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

71% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Nebraska salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$44,620
$3,718/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$61,220
$5,102/mo
Senior (P90)
$76,250
$6,354/mo

Nebraska vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$44,620
National: $43,801
+1.9%
Mid-Career (Median)
$61,220
National: $59,966
+2.1%
Senior (P90)
$76,250
National: $82,244
-7.3%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Nebraska spans from $44,620 at entry-level to $76,250 at senior level — a difference of $31,630 per year.

P10
$44K
P25
$50K
Median
$61K
P75
$67K
P90
$76K

Career Growth Premium: +71%

Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Nebraska earn $31,630 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$31,630
Monthly Difference
+$2,636
Hourly Difference
+$15.21
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $44,620 $3,718 $21.45
Early Career P25 $50,670 $4,222 $24.36
Mid-Career Median $61,220 $5,102 $29.43
Experienced P75 $67,940 $5,662 $32.66
Senior / Expert P90 $76,250 $6,354 $36.66
Key Insight

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Nebraska has a moderate salary progression with a 71% growth from entry-level ($44,620) to senior ($76,250). 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 ($61,220) and P90 ($76,250) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Nebraska Compares to Other States

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

1
$123,380
Entry: $56K
+120%
2
$107,370
Entry: $46K
+129%
3
$106,270
Entry: $57K
+84%
4
$103,690
Entry: $42K
+145%
5
$102,260
Entry: $48K
+111%
6
$101,820
Entry: $56K
+81%
7
$99,840
Entry: $35K
+184%
8
$99,240
Entry: $51K
+94%
9
$98,850
Entry: $60K
+62%
10
$95,730
Entry: $50K
+91%

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 $44,620 per year, or $3,718 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $50,670. Based on 2025 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 $76,250 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $67,940. This represents a career premium of 71% 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 71%. Entry-level professionals start at $44,620, while senior-level can earn up to $76,250 — a difference of $31,630 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 Nebraska, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $76,250 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) 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.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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