Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 50 states with BLS data.
88% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 50 states • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators spans from $43,801 at entry-level to $82,244 at senior level — a difference of $38,443 per year.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss earn $38,443 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $43,801 | $3,650 | $21.06 |
| Early Career | P25 | $50,364 | $4,197 | $24.21 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $59,966 | $4,997 | $28.83 |
| Experienced | P75 | $71,661 | $5,972 | $34.45 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $82,244 | $6,854 | $39.54 |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators has a moderate salary progression with a 88% growth from entry-level ($43,801) to senior ($82,244). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($59,966) and P90 ($82,244) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $43,801 per year, or $3,650 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $50,364. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $82,244 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $71,661. This represents a career premium of 88% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is 88%. Entry-level professionals start at $43,801, while senior-level can earn up to $82,244 — a difference of $38,443 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $123,380 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.
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Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. National averages are computed across 50 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS