Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$44,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#50 of 50
2,010 employed here

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Arkansas?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Arkansas earn a median salary of $44,320 per year, or about $21.31 per hour. That is 26% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $31,480 while the top 10% make $61,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,150 and $52,620 a year.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,480$15.13
25th percentile (early career)$37,150$17.86
50th percentile (median)$44,320$21.31
75th percentile (experienced)$52,620$25.30
90th percentile (top earners)$61,780$29.70

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 50th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$81,770
2Nevada$81,440
3Washington$80,800
4Connecticut$78,820
5New Jersey$78,760

Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Arkansas

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 Arkansas pay ($44,320) 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 Arkansas?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Arkansas is $44,320 per year, or about $21.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,480 at the entry level to $61,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 26% less than the national median of $60,020. Arkansas ranks 50th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,320 a year. About 2,010 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report

Related salaries

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

$42,660
median pay · 11,000 employed

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator

$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

$53,710
median pay · 34,000 employed
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.