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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Ann Arbor, MI

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$66,770

Mean: $67,380

~$52,081 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$32.10

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 100/100

Monthly surplus

$2,043/mo

Savings rate

45%

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Ann Arbor, MI — median $66,770/year, range $61,990-$72,950

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$61,990

Median

$66,770

75th %

$72,950

Median is in the 44th percentile of the typical range

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in other MI cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in MI.

About Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in Ann Arbor, MI

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Ann Arbor, MI earn a median of $66,770 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $67,380, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in this area earn between $61,990 and $72,950. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $32.10 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

↓↓ -3% growthDecline (BLS 2024–2034)

-3% as modern plants need fewer operators per shift. But here's the thing: experienced operators are retiring faster than positions are being cut, and aging infrastructure requires skilled maintenance. The people who stay in the field have strong job security.

Worth knowing: The highest-level state certifications (Level 4/A) are your bargaining chip. They're hard to get, they take years, and facilities can't legally operate without enough certified operators on shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ann Arbor?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $66,770. The average (mean) is $67,380, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make per hour in Ann Arbor?

About $32.10/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Ann Arbor?

The middle 50% earn between $61,990 and $72,950. Below $61,990 is typically entry-level; above $72,950 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $66,770 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$66,770$52,081
Monthly$5,564$4,340
Biweekly$2,568$2,003
Weekly$1,284$1,002
Hourly (40h/wk)$32.1$25.04
Hourly (35h/wk)$36.69$28.62
Hourly (30h/wk)$42.8$33.39
Daily (8h)$257$200

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, based on BLS median salary data.

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