Alabama Median
$51,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#37 of 50
2,770 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Alabama?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Alabama earn a median salary of $51,870 per year, or about $24.94 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $35,100 while the top 10% make $79,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,250 and $65,360 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,100 | $16.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,250 | $19.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,870 | $24.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,360 | $31.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,950 | $38.44 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other states
California $81,770Nevada $81,440Washington $80,800Connecticut $78,820New Jersey $78,760Minnesota $74,670Colorado $74,200Oregon $69,720Massachusetts $68,550Illinois $67,810Hawaii $65,560Delaware $64,940New York $63,990Vermont $63,640Wisconsin $63,550Pennsylvania $63,310Wyoming $63,260New Hampshire $62,940Maine $61,870Maryland $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540South Dakota $53,370Idaho $52,210South Carolina $52,090North Carolina $51,680Tennessee $50,670Missouri $49,940Texas $49,460Georgia $48,930New Mexico $48,190West Virginia $47,560Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Alabama
Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($51,870) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Alabama?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Alabama is $51,870 per year, or about $24.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,100 at the entry level to $79,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 14% less than the national median of $60,020. Alabama ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,870 a year. About 2,770 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.