Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Flint, MI
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Flint, MI metro area earn a median of $60,560 a year ($29.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,210 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 2% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $59,270. There are 1.2 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,250, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Flint, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 25th percentile | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Median | $60,560 | $29.12 |
| 75th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| Average (mean) | $58,250 | $28.01 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,046.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,523.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,329.23 |
| Weekly | $1,164.62 |
| Hourly | $29.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $66,770 | 130 |
| Monroe, MI | $65,360 | 60 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $63,260 | 140 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $61,760 | 1,160 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $60,770 | 350 |
| Traverse City, MI | $60,390 | 90 |
| Niles, MI | $59,940 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $59,620 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $59,110 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $58,360 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $53,490 | 100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $52,820 | 110 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,230 | 60 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $44,780 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Flint, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Machinist | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| Baker | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,490 | $19.47 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,020 | $15.87 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,920 | $18.23 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Flint, MI?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Flint, MI metro area is $60,560 a year, or $29.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Flint, MI?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Flint, MI metro area earn at least $67,210 a year. The top 25% earn $62,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Flint, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,070 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $52,700 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Flint, MI?
About 160 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Flint, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.