Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $24.36 an hour ($50,670 a year). About 3,140 people work in this job there.

$24.36Median hourly pay

$43,250–$61,910Middle half of workers, yearly

3,140People in this job in Tennessee

That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($60,020). Tennessee ranks 39th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Tennessee

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$17.03	$35,430
25% of workers	$20.79	$43,250
Half of workers (median)	$24.36	$50,670
75% of workers	$29.76	$61,910
90% of workers	$36.32	$75,540

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	$59,740	880
Knoxville	$59,120	460
Memphis	$54,460	270
Chattanooga	$50,770	140
Cleveland	$50,670	70
Jackson	$49,070	90
Kingsport-Bristol	$47,560	140
Johnson City	$47,220	130
Morristown	$46,680	60
Clarksville	$45,820	160

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -5.7% over ten years, declining · about 10,000 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Tennessee

Job	Median yearly pay
Civil Engineers	$95,910
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$60,960
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,470
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$39,480

Other job titles for this job

Water Quality TechnicianWater Quality TechWater Treatment SpecialistRelief OperatorSewer OperatorWater Plant OperatorWater Pump OperatorWater PumperBasin TenderBiosolids Management TechnicianBiosolids Management TechClarifying Plant Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.