SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Atlanta
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Atlanta, GA is $52,160 per year, 13.1% below the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Atlanta, GA is $52,160 per year, 13.1% below the national median of $60,020. Pay ranges from under $39,580 at the tenth percentile to more than $78,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,930 to $63,220.
Employment stands at 1,460, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Dalton leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $60,380. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 391st of 687 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,580 | −34.1% |
| 25th | $46,930 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $52,160 | −13.1% |
| 75th | $63,220 | +5.3% |
| 90th | $78,550 | +30.9% |
| Mean | $56,650 | −5.6% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $60,380 | 60 | |
| 2 | Macon | $53,330 | 30 | |
| 3 | Warner Robins | $51,250 | 90 | |
| 4 | Savannah | $50,830 | 160 | |
| 5 | Columbus | $50,310 | 110 | |
| 6 | Augusta | $49,740 | 180 | |
| 7 | Albany | $47,650 | 40 | |
| 8 | Gainesville | $46,040 | 130 | |
| 9 | Brunswick | $44,930 | 50 | |
| 10 | Hinesville | $44,730 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Atlanta run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $52,160 goes as far as $54,164 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,164US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,160 a year, 13.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,580 to $78,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,460 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dalton, at $60,380.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Atlanta, GA?
The median annual wage is $52,160, or $25.08 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Atlanta, GA is 13.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Atlanta, GA earns more than $78,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,580 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dalton, at $60,380 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,460 jobs in this occupation in Atlanta, GA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data