Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Wisconsin
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Wisconsin (2026)
$30.56 per hour · take-home ≈ $51,196/year ($4,266/month) for a single filer
Wisconsin ranks 15th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 6% above the national average. Of the 2,230 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Wisconsin, the typical worker earns $63,550 a year — though pay ranges from $50,340 for newcomers to $78,790 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Wisconsin
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $50,340 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $54,860 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $63,550 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $72,610 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $78,790 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,230 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Wisconsin (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Wisconsin
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $63,550 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Wisconsin state income tax, a single filer keeps about $51,196 — an effective tax rate of 19.4%.
| Gross (median) | $63,550 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,446 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,862 |
| Wisconsin state income tax | −$2,046 |
| Take-home (annual) | $51,196 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,266 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Wisconsin paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Wisconsin?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Wisconsin is $63,550 per year ($30.56 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $54,860 and $72,610.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Wisconsin?
- On the median salary of $63,550, a single filer in Wisconsin takes home about $51,196 per year ($4,266 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.4%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Wisconsin?
- BLS counts 2,230 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Wisconsin in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.