Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Mobile, AL
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Mobile, AL metro area earn a median of $47,730 a year ($22.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,230 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 8% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $51,870. There are 1.1 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Mobile, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Median | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 75th percentile | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| Average (mean) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,988.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,835.77 |
| Weekly | $917.88 |
| Hourly | $22.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $72,010 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $61,550 | 210 |
| Decatur, AL | $58,270 | 90 |
| Gadsden, AL | $57,280 | 70 |
| Birmingham, AL | $56,130 | 550 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $54,590 | 90 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $51,870 | 190 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $51,570 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $51,470 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $50,310 | 110 |
| Dothan, AL | $49,040 | 90 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $48,130 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Mobile, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $96,210 | $46.26 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,760 | $37.86 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $66,820 | $32.12 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Machinist | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $26,470 | $12.72 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Baker | $30,330 | $14.58 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Mobile, AL?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Mobile, AL metro area is $47,730 a year, or $22.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Mobile, AL?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Mobile, AL metro area earn at least $81,230 a year. The top 25% earn $61,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Mobile, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,570 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $37,780 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Mobile, AL?
About 200 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Mobile, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.