Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Kentucky
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$21.84 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,093/year ($3,091/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 49th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 24% below the national average. Of the 2,540 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $45,430 a year — though pay ranges from $33,210 for newcomers to $63,740 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $33,210 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $45,430 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $57,510 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $63,740 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,540 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $45,430 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $37,093 — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
| Gross (median) | $45,430 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,272 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,475 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,590 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,093 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,091 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Kentucky?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Kentucky is $45,430 per year ($21.84 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $36,050 and $57,510.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $45,430, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $37,093 per year ($3,091 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 2,540 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Kentucky
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Kentucky state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Kentucky.