Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator earns a median of $60,020 a year ($28.86 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $62,540. About 128,490 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $60,020
- Gross pay
- $2,308.46
- Federal income tax
- −$193.17
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$143.12
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$33.47
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,938.70
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $60,020
- Federal
- $5,022
- FICA
- $4,592
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $50,406
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $81,770 | $87,190 | 11,630 |
| Nevada | $81,440 | $80,880 | — |
| Washington | $80,800 | $82,770 | 2,030 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | $78,890 | 980 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 | $77,530 | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 | $71,490 | 2,290 |
| Colorado | $74,200 | $72,670 | 2,620 |
| Oregon | $69,720 | $70,620 | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 | $69,900 | 2,510 |
| Illinois | $67,810 | $71,820 | 3,500 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 | $64,550 | 610 |
| Delaware | $64,940 | $66,310 | 340 |
| New York | $63,990 | $69,680 | 5,300 |
| Vermont | $63,640 | $67,130 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $63,550 | $64,070 | 2,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 | $64,020 | 4,660 |
| Wyoming | $63,260 | $71,550 | 500 |
| New Hampshire | $62,940 | $64,810 | 510 |
| Maryland | $61,870 | $64,570 | 1,770 |
| Maine | $61,870 | $65,010 | 710 |
| Rhode Island | $61,820 | $64,260 | 420 |
| Arizona | $61,340 | $61,160 | 3,950 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $61,930 | 1,900 |
| Nebraska | $61,220 | $60,380 | 740 |
| Iowa | $60,990 | $60,790 | 2,370 |
| North Dakota | $60,470 | $62,080 | 550 |
| Alaska | $60,160 | $68,600 | 750 |
| Virginia | $59,420 | $60,500 | 3,460 |
| Michigan | $59,270 | $60,080 | 3,400 |
| Ohio | $59,170 | $58,990 | 5,870 |
| Florida | $59,030 | $61,180 | 7,440 |
| Montana | $58,040 | $61,570 | 690 |
| Indiana | $53,540 | $56,680 | 3,140 |
| South Dakota | $53,370 | $55,750 | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $52,210 | $55,060 | 1,480 |
| South Carolina | $52,090 | $55,910 | 2,650 |
| Alabama | $51,870 | $55,300 | 2,770 |
| North Carolina | $51,680 | $54,620 | 3,620 |
| Tennessee | $50,670 | $53,790 | 3,140 |
| Missouri | $49,940 | $53,190 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $49,460 | $51,920 | 10,520 |
| Georgia | $48,930 | $51,630 | 3,310 |
| New Mexico | $48,190 | $53,870 | 2,110 |
| West Virginia | $47,560 | $50,590 | 1,100 |
| Kansas | $46,780 | $49,290 | 1,560 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 | $49,060 | 1,150 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 | $48,160 | 2,450 |
| Oklahoma | $45,890 | $47,350 | 2,280 |
| Kentucky | $45,430 | $47,770 | 2,540 |
| Arkansas | $44,320 | $45,590 | 2,010 |
Similar jobs
- Machinist: $58,750
- Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender: $58,040
- Patternmaker: $58,000
- Plant and System Operator: $62,470
- Timing Device Assembler and Adjuster: $62,620
- Tire Builder: $57,390
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker: $62,750
- Model Maker: $63,340
BLS occupation: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 51-8031). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.86; the average is $30.07.
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
California ($81,770 median), followed by Nevada and Washington.
What is the salary range for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $39,110 and the top 10% earn over $91,060 a year.
How much is $60,020 after taxes?
About $50,406 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $47,985 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.