Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Tennessee
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $50,670 —15.6% below the national median of $60,020. That ranks TN #39 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.16× as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $81,770 | $39.31 | 11,630 | 0.77 |
| 2 | Nevada | $81,440 | $39.15 | — | — |
| 3 | Washington | $80,800 | $38.85 | 2,030 | 0.69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $78,820 | $37.90 | 980 | 0.70 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,760 | $37.87 | 2,500 | 0.71 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $74,670 | $35.90 | 2,290 | 0.94 |
| 7 | Colorado | $74,200 | $35.68 | 2,620 | 1.10 |
| 8 | Oregon | $69,720 | $33.52 | 1,240 | 0.77 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $68,550 | $32.96 | 2,510 | 0.84 |
| 10 | Illinois | $67,810 | $32.60 | 3,500 | 0.69 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $44,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $74,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $48,570 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $53,750 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $43,220 |
| Machinists | $49,600 | $58,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Tennessee is $50,670, or $24.36 per hour. That is 15.6% below the national median of $60,020.
What is the entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,430 per year ($17.03/hour). The 25th percentile is $43,250.
How many people work as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Tennessee?
About 3,140 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?
Tennessee ranks #39 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.16x as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators the most?
California has the highest median wage at $81,770 per year, followed by Nevada ($81,440) and Washington ($80,800).