SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Alabama
Alabama · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $51,870 a year, trailing the national median of $60,020 by 13.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $51,870 a year, trailing the national median of $60,020 by 13.6%. Half of workers earn between $41,250 and $65,360. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,100 and the ninetieth at $79,950.
The area has 2,770 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.3 of every thousand jobs. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Alabama ranks 37th by median wage. Florence leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $72,010. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 358th of 690 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,100 | −41.5% |
| 25th | $41,250 | −31.3% |
| Median (50th) | $51,870 | −13.6% |
| 75th | $65,360 | +8.9% |
| 90th | $79,950 | +33.2% |
| Mean | $55,300 | −7.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $72,010 | 70 | |
| 2 | Huntsville | $61,550 | 210 | |
| 3 | Decatur | $58,270 | 90 | |
| 4 | Gadsden | $57,280 | 70 | |
| 5 | Birmingham | $56,130 | 550 | |
| 6 | Auburn | $54,590 | 90 | |
| 7 | Tuscaloosa | $51,870 | 190 | |
| 8 | Daphne | $51,570 | 150 | |
| 9 | Montgomery | $51,470 | 180 | |
| 10 | Dothan | $49,040 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $51,870 goes as far as $58,412 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,412US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,870 a year, 13.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,100 to $79,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,770 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 37th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Florence, at $72,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $51,870, or $24.94 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Alabama is 13.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $79,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,100 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Florence, at $72,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,770 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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