SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Niles
Niles, MI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Niles, MI is $59,940 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Niles, MI is $59,940 per year, close to the national median of $60,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $47,360 and $64,980. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $45,580 and the ninetieth at $67,260.
Employment stands at 70, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $66,770. Of the 239 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 99th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,580 | −24.1% |
| 25th | $47,360 | −21.1% |
| Median (50th) | $59,940 | −0.1% |
| 75th | $64,980 | +8.3% |
| 90th | $67,260 | +12.1% |
| Mean | $58,450 | −2.6% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor | $66,770 | 130 | |
| 2 | Monroe | $65,360 | 60 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $63,260 | 140 | |
| 4 | Detroit | $61,760 | 1,160 | |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | $60,770 | 350 | |
| 6 | Flint | $60,560 | 160 | |
| 7 | Traverse City | $60,390 | 90 | |
| 8 | Bay City | $59,620 | 80 | |
| 9 | Jackson | $59,110 | 50 | |
| 10 | Muskegon | $58,360 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Niles run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $59,940 goes as far as $62,308 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,308US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,940 a year, 0.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,580 to $67,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ann Arbor, at $66,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Niles, MI?
The median annual wage is $59,940, or $28.82 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Niles, MI is 0.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Niles, MI earns more than $67,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,580 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ann Arbor, at $66,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Niles, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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