Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › New Mexico
Water Treatment Operator Salary in New Mexico (2026)
$23.17 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,796/year ($3,316/month) for a single filer
New Mexico ranks 43rd of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 20% below the national average. Of the 2,110 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in New Mexico, the typical worker earns $48,190 a year — though pay ranges from $36,110 for newcomers to $80,090 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in New Mexico
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,110 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $38,270 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,190 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $62,190 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $80,090 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,110 Water Treatment Operator jobs in New Mexico (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in New Mexico
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $48,190 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus New Mexico state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,796 — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.
| Gross (median) | $48,190 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,603 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,687 |
| New Mexico state income tax | −$1,105 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,796 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,316 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free New Mexico paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in New Mexico?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in New Mexico is $48,190 per year ($23.17 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $38,270 and $62,190.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in New Mexico?
- On the median salary of $48,190, a single filer in New Mexico takes home about $39,796 per year ($3,316 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in New Mexico?
- BLS counts 2,110 Water Treatment Operator jobs in New Mexico in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico 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 Mexico.