Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Michigan (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Michigan, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$59,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#29 of 50
3,400 employed here

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Michigan?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in Michigan earn a median salary of $59,270 per year, or about $28.50 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $46,710 while the top 10% make $75,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,790 and $64,540 a year.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,710$22.46
25th percentile (early career)$49,790$23.94
50th percentile (median)$59,270$28.50
75th percentile (experienced)$64,540$31.03
90th percentile (top earners)$75,910$36.50

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 29th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$81,770
2Nevada$81,440
3Washington$80,800
4Connecticut$78,820
5New Jersey$78,760

Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Michigan

Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Michigan pay ($59,270) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Michigan?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Michigan is $59,270 per year, or about $28.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,710 at the entry level to $75,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 1% less than the national median of $60,020. Michigan ranks 29th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,270 a year. About 3,400 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Michigan. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.