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

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

Median annual salary $45,630 -21.7% vs national
Median hourly $21.94
10th percentile $35,920
90th percentile $59,160
Employed locally 60
National median $58,260

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

Type a city below to see how Burlington, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,920
    25th
    $45,630
    50th (median)
    $45,630
    75th
    $50,660
    90th
    $59,160

    Burlington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,445 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 71% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 29% 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 Burlington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $61,920
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $35,710
    Production Workers, All Other $34,260
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $38,070
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $48,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Burlington, NC is $21.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.36 or more per hour.

    Is Burlington 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 Burlington, NC is 21.7% 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 Burlington?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,920 per year in Burlington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,630.