Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $50,490 -13.3% vs national
Median hourly $24.27
10th percentile $36,740
90th percentile $68,700
Employed locally 220
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how East Tennessee stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
East Tennessee
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,740
    25th
    $41,250
    50th (median)
    $50,490
    75th
    $59,090
    90th
    $68,700

    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

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$59,240
    Production Workers, All Other$41,560
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,260
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$46,150
    Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,530

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in East Tennessee is $24.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.57 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee 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 East Tennessee is 13.3% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,740 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,250.