Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Pennsylvania
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
$30.44 per hour · take-home ≈ $51,106/year ($4,259/month) for a single filer
Pennsylvania ranks 16th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 5% above the national average. Of the 4,660 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Pennsylvania, the typical worker earns $63,310 a year — though pay ranges from $45,670 for newcomers to $80,480 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Pennsylvania
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $45,670 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $54,540 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $63,310 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $74,300 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $80,480 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 4,660 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Pennsylvania (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Pennsylvania
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $63,310 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Pennsylvania state income tax, a single filer keeps about $51,106 — an effective tax rate of 19.3%.
| Gross (median) | $63,310 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,417 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,843 |
| Pennsylvania state income tax | −$1,944 |
| Take-home (annual) | $51,106 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,259 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Pennsylvania paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Pennsylvania?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Pennsylvania is $63,310 per year ($30.44 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $54,540 and $74,300.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Pennsylvania?
- On the median salary of $63,310, a single filer in Pennsylvania takes home about $51,106 per year ($4,259 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 Pennsylvania?
- BLS counts 4,660 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Pennsylvania in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.