Tennessee Median
$50,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#39 of 50
3,140 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Tennessee?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee take home a median of $50,670 annually — roughly $24.36 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $60,020.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $35,430 while the top 10% make $75,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,250 and $61,910 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,430 | $17.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,250 | $20.79 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,670 | $24.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,910 | $29.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,540 | $36.32 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 39th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other states
California $81,770Nevada $81,440Washington $80,800Connecticut $78,820New Jersey $78,760Minnesota $74,670Colorado $74,200Oregon $69,720Massachusetts $68,550Illinois $67,810Hawaii $65,560Delaware $64,940New York $63,990Vermont $63,640Wisconsin $63,550Pennsylvania $63,310Wyoming $63,260New Hampshire $62,940Maine $61,870Maryland $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540South Dakota $53,370Idaho $52,210South Carolina $52,090Alabama $51,870North Carolina $51,680Missouri $49,940Texas $49,460Georgia $48,930New Mexico $48,190West Virginia $47,560Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee
Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($50,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Tennessee?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Tennessee is $50,670 per year, or about $24.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,430 at the entry level to $75,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 16% less than the national median of $60,020. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,670 a year. About 3,140 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.