Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Virginia
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Virginia (2026)
$28.57 per hour · take-home ≈ $47,268/year ($3,939/month) for a single filer
Virginia ranks 28th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 1% below the national average. Of the 3,460 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Virginia, the typical worker earns $59,420 a year — though pay ranges from $38,590 for newcomers to $79,470 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,590 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $47,980 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $59,420 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $73,600 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $79,470 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,460 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Virginia (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Virginia
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $59,420 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,268 — an effective tax rate of 20.5%.
| Gross (median) | $59,420 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,950 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,546 |
| Virginia state income tax | −$2,656 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,268 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,939 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Virginia?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Virginia is $59,420 per year ($28.57 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $47,980 and $73,600.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Virginia?
- On the median salary of $59,420, a single filer in Virginia takes home about $47,268 per year ($3,939 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.5%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Virginia?
- BLS counts 3,460 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia.