2024 AWWA survey: Water utility compensation increases overall from previous year

The North American water sector is experiencing overall increases in compensation across all sizes of utilities, according to a 2024 survey presented by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

AWWA’s Water and Wastewater Utility Compensation Survey showed that from 2023 to 2024, utilities’ salaries increased by these percentages:

• 4.6% (compared to 6.7% last year) for large utilities (more than 100,000 customers)
• 5.2% (compared to 3.9% last year for medium utilities (10,000 – 99,999 customers)
• 2.1% (compared to 7.9% last year) for small utilities (fewer than 10,000 customers)

Reports based on results from the 27^th annual survey are available for purchase, customized for large, medium and small utilities. The reports include information about salaries, salary ranges and compensation practices in the water and wastewater utility industry.

Of the 509 organizations that responded to a question about overall staffing levels, 59% said they maintained consistent staffing levels, and 45.3% said they increased staffing levels (full- and part-time) in the past 12 months. Another 16.9% hired additional contract, seasonal or temporary labor. Additionally, 2% implemented a reduction in force and 7% modified work schedules and/or expectations (including furloughs).

The survey, administered by Newport Group, was compiled from 512 utility participants supplying data for about 28,000 employees as of February 2024.

Other highlights from the 2024 survey include:

Individual positions: Among the industry positions that appear to have salaries increasing faster than most from 2023 to 2024 are water reuse plant manager (23.4%, large utilities); service contract specialist (32.6%, medium utilities); small system operator (8%, small utilities).

Training and education: 22.5% of respondents said they have implemented or plan to implement changes to their employee training and continuing education processes.

Healthcare plans: 25.8% of respondents indicated they have changed or are considering changes to their healthcare plans that include co-payments, deductibles, eligibility and employee premium cost-sharing.

Projected average 2025 salary increases: Looking ahead to next year, projections for salary increases average around 3.77% for executives, 3.83% for managers, 3.82% for supervisors and 3.89% for other staff.