Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Birmingham, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Birmingham, AL

Median annual salary $53,770 -7.7% vs national
Median hourly $25.85
10th percentile $32,700
90th percentile $69,270
Employed locally 520
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
Birmingham, AL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,700
    25th
    $40,170
    50th (median)
    $53,770
    75th
    $58,750
    90th
    $69,270

    Birmingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,627 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 77% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 23% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Salinas, CA $90,610
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $83,630
    California $82,100
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $77,750

    Related occupations in Birmingham, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$38,320
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,450
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,900
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,390
    Helpers--Production Workers$35,560
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Birmingham, AL is $25.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.27 or more per hour.

    Is Birmingham 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 Birmingham, AL is 7.7% 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 Birmingham?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $32,700 per year in Birmingham, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,170.