Find Trade Colleges
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Michigan
Considering working as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Michigan? Here’s what the data says. Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Make in Michigan?
For water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators working in Michigan, the median annual wage is $58,470 per year (or roughly $28.11/hour).Annual wages span from $44,880 at the 10th percentile to $76,380 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| 25th percentile | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Median (50th) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 75th percentile | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| 90th percentile | $76,380 | $36.72 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Michigan compared to the national average — is 0.75, indicating fewer water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn a median of $48,896 per year ($23.51/hour), exceeding the Michigan median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 614,799 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators nationwide. In Michigan alone, about 2,720 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,110 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
Top Michigan Metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
The largest metro-area employers of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Michigan.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 760 | $61,060 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 410 | $57,670 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 170 | $59,340 |
| Flint, MI | 130 | $55,770 |
| Saginaw, MI | 90 | $51,110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 80 | $66,870 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 80 | $56,800 |
| Niles, MI | 80 | $59,290 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 70 | $50,630 |
| Monroe, MI | 70 | $61,690 |
| Midland, MI | 50 | $58,470 |
| Traverse City, MI | 50 | $53,540 |
| Jackson, MI | 40 | $57,250 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 40 | $43,380 |
Top States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 11,260 |
| Texas | 10,340 |
| Florida | 7,560 |
| Ohio | 5,550 |
| New York | 5,270 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,190 |
| Illinois | 3,870 |
| Arizona | 3,470 |
| North Carolina | 3,420 |
| Virginia | 3,390 |
| Indiana | 3,300 |
| Kentucky | 3,150 |
| Tennessee | 3,090 |
| Alabama | 2,950 |
| Georgia | 2,880 |
| South Carolina | 2,800 |
| Oklahoma | 2,750 |
| Michigan | 2,720 |
| Missouri | 2,700 |
| Massachusetts | 2,480 |
Highest-Paying States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
These states pay the most for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $82,100 |
| Nevada | $79,140 |
| Washington | $78,810 |
| Alaska | $76,910 |
| New Jersey | $75,200 |
| Connecticut | $74,450 |
| Minnesota | $70,470 |
| Colorado | $68,220 |
| New Hampshire | $66,240 |
| Hawaii | $65,800 |
Skills
The most important water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators typically:
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Other careers like water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Geothermal Technicians
Also Known As
Basin Tender, Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech), Clarifying Plant Operator, Disposal Operator, Disposal Plant Operator, Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech), Filter Tender, Filterer, Filtration Operator, Filtration Plant Operator, Industrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech), Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech), Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-8031.00
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.