Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Tennessee
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Tennessee (2026)
$24.36 per hour · take-home ≈ $42,893/year ($3,574/month) for a single filer
Tennessee ranks 39th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 16% below the national average. Of the 3,140 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $50,670 a year — though pay ranges from $35,430 for newcomers to $75,540 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,430 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $43,250 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $50,670 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $61,910 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $75,540 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,140 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $50,670 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $42,893 — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
| Gross (median) | $50,670 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,900 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,876 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $42,893 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,574 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Tennessee?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Tennessee is $50,670 per year ($24.36 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $43,250 and $61,910.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $50,670, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $42,893 per year ($3,574 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 3,140 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Tennessee
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Tennessee state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Tennessee.