Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Montana
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Montana (2026)
$27.90 per hour · take-home ≈ $46,844/year ($3,904/month) for a single filer
Montana ranks 32nd of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 3% below the national average. Of the 690 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Montana, the typical worker earns $58,040 a year — though pay ranges from $37,320 for newcomers to $81,420 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Montana
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,320 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $49,960 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $58,040 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $68,580 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $81,420 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 690 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Montana (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Montana
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $58,040 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Montana state income tax, a single filer keeps about $46,844 — an effective tax rate of 19.3%.
| Gross (median) | $58,040 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,785 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,440 |
| Montana state income tax | −$1,971 |
| Take-home (annual) | $46,844 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,904 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Montana paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Montana?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Montana is $58,040 per year ($27.90 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $49,960 and $68,580.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Montana?
- On the median salary of $58,040, a single filer in Montana takes home about $46,844 per year ($3,904 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.3%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Montana?
- BLS counts 690 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Montana in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Montana
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 Montana 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 Montana.