Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $54,030 -7.3% vs national
Median hourly $25.98
10th percentile $38,320
90th percentile $77,550
Employed locally 480
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
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,320
    25th
    $44,220
    50th (median)
    $54,030
    75th
    $63,150
    90th
    $77,550

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 77% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 23% 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
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $52,290
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $50,760
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $50,170
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,340
    Johnson City, TN $47,710

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$38,120
    Production Workers, All Other$39,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$62,220
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,440
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$47,370
    Machinists$47,840

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Knoxville, TN is $25.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.49 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN is 7.3% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,320 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,220.