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Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary in the United States

How much does a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor in the United States is $95,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,249
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,000 to $104,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,804

Key Factors That Influence Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salaries

A Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $91,331
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $91,784
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,839
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $94,045
  • Expert (over 8 years): $96,093
Levels Salary
Entry Level Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor$91,331
Intermediate Level Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor$91,784
Senior Level Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor$92,839
Specialist Level Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor$94,045
Expert Level Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor$96,093

Top Paying Cities for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $119,900
  • San Francisco: $118,600
  • Oakland: $116,100

What Skills Can Increase a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.58% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Civil Engineering (Mentioned in 2.02% Job Postings): Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways. Civil engineering is traditionally broken into a number of sub-disciplines. It is considered the second-oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it is defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. Civil engineering takes place in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.58%
Civil Engineering 2.02%
Quality Control 1.52%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's salary.

  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Client Management: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Client Relationship $122,679
29%
Business Development $114,120
20%
Client Management $112,218
18%

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $105,971. While startup companies pay approximate $89,826.

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $89,826
Growth Stage 51~500 $94,948
Established 501~5000 $102,351
Enterprise 5000+ $105,971

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$114,120$55.020%
MFG Durable$107,463$52.013%
Aerospace & Defense$104,610$50.010%
Biotechnology$102,708$49.08%
Healthcare$99,855$48.05%

How Education impacts a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $91,782 and $95,916).

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 43.2%
High School 43.2%
Associates 27.3%
Bachelors 27.3%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 0.0%

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$85,000
Average $95,100/year
$104,600
$7,083
Average $7,925/month
$8,717
$1,635
Average $1,829/week
$2,012
$41
Average $46/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,600 $8,717 $2,012 $50
Average $95,100 $7,925 $1,829 $46
25th Percentile $85,000 $7,083 $1,635 $41

Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Wastewater Operations Plant Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $108,500 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor

Here are companies hiring for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the salary paid to plant Supervisor?

The salary for a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor ranges from $89,300 to $107,100 annually, with a midpoint average of $95,500. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, ensuring that skilled supervisors are adequately rewarded for their expertise and responsibilities in managing plant operations.

3. What is the biggest wastewater company?

Of the selected water and wastewater treatment companies worldwide, BASF reported the highest revenue in 2023, at approximately 76.1 billion U.S. dollars. French multinational Veolia reported a revenue of 50.1 billion U.S. dollars that same year. In the U.S., a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor typically earns between $89,300 and $107,100, with a median salary of $95,500.

4. What does a plant operations supervisor do?

A Plant Operations Supervisor ensures that plant assets and equipment are operational and safe for use. They communicate with the maintenance team to plan and prepare for maintenance activities, ensuring the plant is safe for work. The role typically offers a salary range from $89,300 to $107,100, with a midpoint of $95,500.

5. Who gets paid more manager or supervisor?

Typically, managers earn more than supervisors due to their higher position in the organizational hierarchy. For instance, a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor has a salary range from $89,300 to $107,100, with a midpoint of $95,500. This reflects the increased responsibilities and broader scope of work that managers handle compared to supervisors.

6. What is the biggest wastewater company?

Of the selected water and wastewater treatment companies worldwide, BASF reported the highest revenue in 2023, at approximately 76.1 billion U.S. dollars. French multinational Veolia followed with a revenue of 50.1 billion U.S. dollars. In the U.S., a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor can expect a salary ranging from $89,300 to $107,100, with a median of $95,500.

7. Is it stressful to be a supervisor?

Being a supervisor can be rewarding yet challenging. You manage various responsibilities, deadlines, and team dynamics, which can lead to stress. The salary range for a Wastewater Operations Plant Supervisor is between $89,300 and $107,100, reflecting the level of responsibility and expertise required. Balancing these demands is crucial for maintaining performance and well-being.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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