Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Washington
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Washington (2026)
$38.85 per hour · take-home ≈ $65,673/year ($5,473/month) for a single filer
Washington is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Water Treatment Operators (3rd of 50), with a median about 34% above the national average. Of the 2,030 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Washington, the typical worker earns $80,800 a year — though pay ranges from $57,720 for newcomers to $106,270 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $57,720 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $67,690 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $80,800 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $99,940 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $106,270 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,030 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Washington (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $80,800 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $65,673 — an effective tax rate of 18.7%.
| Gross (median) | $80,800 |
| Federal income tax | −$8,946 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$6,181 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $65,673 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $5,473 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Washington?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Washington is $80,800 per year ($38.85 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $67,690 and $99,940.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Washington?
- On the median salary of $80,800, a single filer in Washington takes home about $65,673 per year ($5,473 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 18.7%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 2,030 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.