SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Fayetteville
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR · 4 metro areas compared
In Fayetteville, AR the median wage is $49,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Fayetteville, AR the median wage is $49,280. That is 17.9% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $38,500 at the tenth percentile to more than $60,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $43,930 to $58,230.
The area has 310 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.36 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Little Rock records the highest median at $47,420. Of the 432 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 206th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,500 | −35.9% |
| 25th | $43,930 | −26.8% |
| Median (50th) | $49,280 | −17.9% |
| 75th | $58,230 | −3.0% |
| 90th | $60,430 | +0.7% |
| Mean | $50,220 | −16.3% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $47,420 | 400 | |
| 2 | Fort Smith | $40,830 | 190 | |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $39,570 | 80 | |
| 4 | Hot Springs | $35,520 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fayetteville run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $49,280 goes as far as $56,709 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,709US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,280 a year, 17.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,500 to $60,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 310 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $47,420.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Fayetteville, AR?
The median annual wage is $49,280, or $23.69 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 Fayetteville, AR is 17.9% 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 Fayetteville, AR earns more than $60,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,500 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 Little Rock, at $47,420 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 310 jobs in this occupation in Fayetteville, AR. 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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