Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Jackson, MI
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Jackson, MI metro area earn a median of $59,110 a year ($28.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,090 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $59,270. There are 0.81 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,560, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Jackson, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| 25th percentile | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| Median | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Average (mean) | $56,560 | $27.19 |
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 | $4,925.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,462.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,273.46 |
| Weekly | $1,136.73 |
| Hourly | $28.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,110 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 |
| Flint, MI | $60,560 | 160 |
| Traverse City, MI | $60,390 | 90 |
| Niles, MI | $59,940 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $59,620 | 80 |
| 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 Jackson, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Machinist | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Food Batchmaker | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $63,410 | $30.49 |
| Baker | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,020 | $18.28 |
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 Jackson, MI?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Jackson, MI metro area is $59,110 a year, or $28.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Jackson, MI?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Jackson, MI metro area earn at least $64,090 a year. The top 25% earn $59,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Jackson, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,220 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $55,970 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Jackson, MI?
About 50 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Jackson, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.