Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Albuquerque, NM

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Albuquerque, NM

Median annual salary $46,680 -19.9% vs national
Median hourly $22.44
10th percentile $36,180
90th percentile $77,580
Employed locally 790
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Albuquerque, NM
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,180
    25th
    $45,280
    50th (median)
    $46,680
    75th
    $58,210
    90th
    $77,580

    Albuquerque economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,995 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 69% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $73,160
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $71,720
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $71,650
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $71,350
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $70,320
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $69,300

    Related occupations in Albuquerque, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $61,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,270
    Production Workers, All Other $37,290
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $30,900
    Bakers $34,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Albuquerque?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Albuquerque, NM is $22.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.51 or more per hour.

    Is Albuquerque above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Albuquerque, NM is 19.9% below the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Albuquerque?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,180 per year in Albuquerque, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,280.