Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Jackson, TN
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Jackson, TN metro area earn a median of $49,070 a year ($23.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,780 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $50,670. There are 1.1 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Jackson, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| 25th percentile | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| Median | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 75th percentile | $66,550 | $32.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,780 | $38.35 |
| Average (mean) | $55,970 | $26.91 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,089.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,044.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,887.31 |
| Weekly | $943.65 |
| Hourly | $23.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $59,740 | 880 |
| Knoxville, TN | $59,120 | 460 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $54,460 | 270 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,770 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $50,670 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $47,560 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,220 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $46,680 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,820 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jackson, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,340 | $19.39 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,550 | $30.55 |
| Food Batchmaker | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Machinist | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,180 | $22.68 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Jackson, TN?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Jackson, TN metro area is $49,070 a year, or $23.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Jackson, TN?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Jackson, TN metro area earn at least $79,780 a year. The top 25% earn $66,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Jackson, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,630 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $45,270 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Jackson, TN?
About 90 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Jackson, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.