Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Asheville, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Asheville, NC

Median annual salary $49,710 -14.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.90
10th percentile $41,440
90th percentile $61,580
Employed locally 90
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Asheville, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,440
    25th
    $49,180
    50th (median)
    $49,710
    75th
    $51,840
    90th
    $61,580

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 72% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640
    Anchorage, AK $78,210
    Grand Junction, CO $71,170
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $69,740
    Lincoln, NE $69,120

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,240
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$41,870
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,610
    Machinists$47,130
    Production Workers, All Other$38,870

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Asheville, NC is $23.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.54 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Asheville, NC is 14.7% below the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Asheville?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $41,440 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,180.