Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Michigan
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Michigan (2026)
$28.49 per hour · take-home ≈ $47,284/year ($3,940/month) for a single filer
Michigan ranks 29th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 1% below the national average. Of the 3,400 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Michigan, the typical worker earns $59,270 a year — though pay ranges from $46,710 for newcomers to $75,910 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Michigan
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $46,710 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $49,790 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $59,270 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $64,540 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $75,910 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,400 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Michigan (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Michigan
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $59,270 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Michigan state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,284 — an effective tax rate of 20.2%.
| Gross (median) | $59,270 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,932 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,534 |
| Michigan state income tax | −$2,519 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,284 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,940 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Michigan paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Michigan?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Michigan is $59,270 per year ($28.49 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $49,790 and $64,540.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Michigan?
- On the median salary of $59,270, a single filer in Michigan takes home about $47,284 per year ($3,940 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.2%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Michigan?
- BLS counts 3,400 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Michigan in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan 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 Michigan.