Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › New Jersey
Water Treatment Operator Salary in New Jersey (2026)
$37.87 per hour · take-home ≈ $61,345/year ($5,112/month) for a single filer
New Jersey is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Water Treatment Operators (5th of 50), with a median about 31% above the national average. Of the 2,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in New Jersey, the typical worker earns $78,760 a year — though pay ranges from $51,050 for newcomers to $99,240 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in New Jersey
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $51,050 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $62,280 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $78,760 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $93,520 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $99,240 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs in New Jersey (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in New Jersey
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $78,760 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus New Jersey state income tax, a single filer keeps about $61,345 — an effective tax rate of 22.1%.
| Gross (median) | $78,760 |
| Federal income tax | −$8,497 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$6,025 |
| New Jersey state income tax | −$2,893 |
| Take-home (annual) | $61,345 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $5,112 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free New Jersey paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in New Jersey?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in New Jersey is $78,760 per year ($37.87 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $62,280 and $93,520.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in New Jersey?
- On the median salary of $78,760, a single filer in New Jersey takes home about $61,345 per year ($5,112 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 22.1%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in New Jersey?
- BLS counts 2,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs in New Jersey in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.