Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $50,170 -13.9% vs national
Median hourly $24.12
10th percentile $37,690
90th percentile $71,580
Employed locally 190
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
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,690
    25th
    $43,530
    50th (median)
    $50,170
    75th
    $60,040
    90th
    $71,580

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 73% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 27% 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
    Cleveland, TN $57,210
    Knoxville, TN $54,030
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $52,290
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $50,760
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,340
    Johnson City, TN $47,710

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,440
    Production Workers, All Other $41,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,030
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,440
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,920
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $50,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $24.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.74 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN-GA is 13.9% 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,690 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,530.