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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Median annual salary $51,260 -12% vs national
Median hourly $24.64
10th percentile $38,300
90th percentile $76,830
Employed locally 1,320
National median $58,260

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

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,300
    25th
    $46,260
    50th (median)
    $51,260
    75th
    $62,180
    90th
    $76,830

    Atlanta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,338 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 59% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 41% 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 Atlanta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,490
    Production Workers, All Other $40,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,400
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,590
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,530

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Atlanta, GA is $24.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.77 or more per hour.

    Is Atlanta 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 Atlanta, GA is 12% 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 Atlanta?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,300 per year in Atlanta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,260.