Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $50,760 -12.9% vs national
Median hourly $24.40
10th percentile $37,420
90th percentile $82,700
Employed locally 310
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,420
    25th
    $45,100
    50th (median)
    $50,760
    75th
    $64,810
    90th
    $82,700

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 78% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 22% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $50,170
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,340
    Johnson City, TN $47,710

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$64,500
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,690
    Production Workers, All Other$37,230
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44,530
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $24.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.05 or more per hour.

    Is Memphis 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 12.9% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,420 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,100.