Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $43,220 -25.8% vs national
Median hourly $20.78
10th percentile $38,160
90th percentile $60,590
Employed locally 40
National median $58,260

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Athens, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,160
    25th
    $38,880
    50th (median)
    $43,220
    75th
    $55,490
    90th
    $60,590

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 69% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 31% 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
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $83,830
    Sheboygan, WI $67,200
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $62,940
    Dalton, GA $61,320
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,780
    Gainesville, FL $58,980

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $36,210
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,440
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,430
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $42,020
    Production Workers, All Other $39,260
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,140

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Athens, GA is $20.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.06 or more per hour.

    Is Athens 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 Athens, GA is 25.8% below 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 Athens?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,160 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,880.