Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › West Virginia
Water Treatment Operator Salary in West Virginia (2026)
$22.87 per hour · take-home ≈ $38,893/year ($3,241/month) for a single filer
West Virginia ranks 44th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 21% below the national average. Of the 1,100 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in West Virginia, the typical worker earns $47,560 a year — though pay ranges from $35,360 for newcomers to $75,240 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in West Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,360 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $41,110 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $47,560 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $57,970 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $75,240 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,100 Water Treatment Operator jobs in West Virginia (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in West Virginia
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $47,560 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus West Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $38,893 — an effective tax rate of 18.2%.
| Gross (median) | $47,560 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,527 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,638 |
| West Virginia state income tax | −$1,501 |
| Take-home (annual) | $38,893 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,241 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free West Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in West Virginia?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in West Virginia is $47,560 per year ($22.87 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $41,110 and $57,970.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in West Virginia?
- On the median salary of $47,560, a single filer in West Virginia takes home about $38,893 per year ($3,241 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.2%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in West Virginia?
- BLS counts 1,100 Water Treatment Operator jobs in West Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in West 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 West 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 West Virginia.