Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $63,660 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,948 take-home, or $4,329 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,459
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,947
- Medicare (1.45%)$923
- Arizona income tax$1,383
- Take-home pay$51,948
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,780 | $23.93 | $41,142 | $3,429 |
| 25th percentile | $53,000 | $25.48 | $43,649 | $3,637 |
| Median (50th) | $63,660 | $30.61 | $51,948 | $4,329 |
| 75th percentile | $74,050 | $35.60 | $59,282 | $4,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,040 | $38.48 | $63,346 | $5,279 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,660 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator's $51,948 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,281 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 1.3× the national concentration of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $83,320 | $63,543 | $56,451 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $63,660 | $51,948 | $50,281 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.7% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $63,660 a year, or about $30.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,000 and $74,050.
What is a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $63,660 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $51,948 a year ($4,329 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,383 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $60,020. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,281 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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