Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $61,060 +4.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.36
10th percentile $45,430
90th percentile $79,060
Employed locally 760
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Detroit, MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,430
    25th
    $50,590
    50th (median)
    $61,060
    75th
    $72,080
    90th
    $79,060

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 81% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bloomington, IL $80,600
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $74,680
    Elmira, NY $70,660
    Minnesota $70,470
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $70,320
    Ann Arbor, MI $66,870

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,840
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,410
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $55,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,210
    Machinists $57,240
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $50,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Detroit?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Detroit, MI is $29.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.73 or more per hour.

    Is Detroit above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Detroit, MI is 4.8% above the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Detroit?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,430 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,590.