SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Georgia
Georgia · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Georgia is $48,930 per year, 18.5% 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 Georgia is $48,930 per year, 18.5% below the national median of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $42,300 and $59,870. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,970 and the ninetieth at $67,520.
Employment stands at 3,310, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Georgia ranks number 42nd out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Dalton records the highest median at $60,380. Of the 744 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 445th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,970 | −38.4% |
| 25th | $42,300 | −29.5% |
| Median (50th) | $48,930 | −18.5% |
| 75th | $59,870 | −0.2% |
| 90th | $67,520 | +12.5% |
| Mean | $51,630 | −14.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $60,380 | 60 | |
| 2 | Macon | $53,330 | 30 | |
| 3 | Atlanta | $52,160 | 1,460 | |
| 4 | Warner Robins | $51,250 | 90 | |
| 5 | Savannah | $50,830 | 160 | |
| 6 | Columbus | $50,310 | 110 | |
| 7 | Augusta | $49,740 | 180 | |
| 8 | Albany | $47,650 | 40 | |
| 9 | Gainesville | $46,040 | 130 | |
| 10 | Brunswick | $44,930 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $48,930 goes as far as $50,810 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,810US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,930 a year, 18.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,970 to $67,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,310 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 42nd of 50 states for 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 Georgia?
The median annual wage is $48,930, or $23.52 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 Georgia is 18.5% 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 Georgia earns more than $67,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,970 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 3,310 jobs in this occupation in Georgia. 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.
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