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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $52,290 -10.2% vs national
Median hourly $25.14
10th percentile $39,850
90th percentile $73,780
Employed locally 900
National median $58,260

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

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Nashville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,850
    25th
    $46,830
    50th (median)
    $52,290
    75th
    $63,770
    90th
    $73,780

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 63% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 37% 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
    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 Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $49,090
    Production Workers, All Other $39,100
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,870
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $66,790
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,660
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $35,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Nashville, TN is $25.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.87 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville 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 Nashville, TN is 10.2% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,850 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,830.