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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Columbus, GA

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$50,310

Mean: $49,450

~$39,242 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$24.19

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Columbus, GA — median $50,310/year, range $39,730-$57,640

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$39,730

Median

$50,310

75th %

$57,640

Median is in the 59th percentile of the typical range

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in other GA cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in GA.

About Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in Columbus, GA

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Columbus, GA earn a median of $50,310 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $49,450, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in this area earn between $39,730 and $57,640. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $24.19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

↓↓ -3% growthDecline (BLS 2024–2034)

-3% as modern plants need fewer operators per shift. But here's the thing: experienced operators are retiring faster than positions are being cut, and aging infrastructure requires skilled maintenance. The people who stay in the field have strong job security.

Worth knowing: The highest-level state certifications (Level 4/A) are your bargaining chip. They're hard to get, they take years, and facilities can't legally operate without enough certified operators on shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Columbus?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $50,310. The average (mean) is $49,450, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make per hour in Columbus?

About $24.19/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Columbus?

The middle 50% earn between $39,730 and $57,640. Below $39,730 is typically entry-level; above $57,640 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $50,310 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$50,310$39,242
Monthly$4,193$3,270
Biweekly$1,935$1,509
Weekly$968$755
Hourly (40h/wk)$24.19$18.87
Hourly (35h/wk)$27.64$21.56
Hourly (30h/wk)$32.25$25.16
Daily (8h)$194$151

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Columbus

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

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