The average salary for a water treatment plant operator in Tennessee is around $50,670 per year.
Avg Salary
Water treatment plant operators earn an average yearly salary of $50,670.
Wages typically start from $35,430 and go up to $75,540.
19% below national average Updated in 2025
Water treatment plant operator earnings by seniority
Top-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$36.32 per hour
$75,540 per year
Senior-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$29.76 per hour
$61,910 per year
Mid-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$24.36 per hour
$50,670 per year
Junior-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$20.79 per hour
$43,250 per year
Starting level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$17.03 per hour
$35,430 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Water treatment plant operator salary by state
| State Name | Average 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 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 |
| Delaware | $64,940 |
| New York | $63,990 |
| Vermont | $63,640 |
| Wisconsin | $63,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 |
| Wyoming | $63,260 |
| New Hampshire | $62,940 |
| Maryland | $61,870 |
| Maine | $61,870 |
| Rhode Island | $61,820 |
| Arizona | $61,340 |
| Utah | $61,290 |
| Nebraska | $61,220 |
| Iowa | $60,990 |
| North Dakota | $60,470 |
| Alaska | $60,160 |
| Virginia | $59,420 |
| Michigan | $59,270 |
| Ohio | $59,170 |
| Florida | $59,030 |
| Montana | $58,040 |
| District of Columbia | $54,880 |
| Indiana | $53,540 |
| South Dakota | $53,370 |
| Idaho | $52,210 |
| South Carolina | $52,090 |
| Alabama | $51,870 |
| North Carolina | $51,680 |
| Tennessee | $50,670 |
| Missouri | $49,940 |
| Texas | $49,460 |
| Georgia | $48,930 |
| New Mexico | $48,190 |
| West Virginia | $47,560 |
| Kansas | $46,780 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 |
| Oklahoma | $45,890 |
| Kentucky | $45,430 |
| Arkansas | $44,320 |
| Guam | $40,830 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,950 |
How do water treatment plant operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Water treatment plant operators earn about the same as related careers in Tennessee. On average, they make less than metal casters but more than welders.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Metal caster salary | $72K |
| Oil and gas rotary drill operator salary | $59K |
| Tool and die maker salary | $61K |
| Sheet metal worker salary | $59K |
| Chemical technician salary | $55K |
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $51K |
| Machinist salary | $50K |
| Machine assembler salary | $47K |
| Glazier salary | $49K |
| Welder salary | $48K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)