SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Huntsville
Huntsville, AL · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Huntsville, AL is $61,550 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Huntsville, AL is $61,550 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $44,160 and $83,260. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,790 and the ninetieth at $86,660.
Employment stands at 210, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Florence records the highest median at $72,010. Of the 389 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 165th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,790 | −42.0% |
| 25th | $44,160 | −26.4% |
| Median (50th) | $61,550 | +2.5% |
| 75th | $83,260 | +38.7% |
| 90th | $86,660 | +44.4% |
| Mean | $62,520 | +4.2% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $72,010 | 70 | |
| 2 | Decatur | $58,270 | 90 | |
| 3 | Gadsden | $57,280 | 70 | |
| 4 | Birmingham | $56,130 | 550 | |
| 5 | Auburn | $54,590 | 90 | |
| 6 | Tuscaloosa | $51,870 | 190 | |
| 7 | Daphne | $51,570 | 150 | |
| 8 | Montgomery | $51,470 | 180 | |
| 9 | Dothan | $49,040 | 90 | |
| 10 | Anniston | $48,130 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Huntsville run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,550 goes as far as $69,313 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,313US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,550 a year, 2.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,790 to $86,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 jobs in 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 Huntsville, AL?
The median annual wage is $61,550, or $29.59 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 Huntsville, AL is 2.5% higher. 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 Huntsville, AL earns more than $86,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,790 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 210 jobs in this occupation in Huntsville, AL. 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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