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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$48,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#43 of 50
2,110 employed here

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

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in New Mexico earn a median salary of $48,190 per year, or about $23.17 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $36,110 while the top 10% make $80,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,270 and $62,190 a year.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,110$17.36
25th percentile (early career)$38,270$18.40
50th percentile (median)$48,190$23.17
75th percentile (experienced)$62,190$29.90
90th percentile (top earners)$80,090$38.50

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 43rd 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($48,190) 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 New Mexico?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in New Mexico is $48,190 per year, or about $23.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,110 at the entry level to $80,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 20% less than the national median of $60,020. New Mexico ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,190 a year. About 2,110 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.