Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $49,040 -15.8% vs national
Median hourly $23.58
10th percentile $35,460
90th percentile $76,270
Employed locally 440
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
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,460
    25th
    $45,670
    50th (median)
    $49,040
    75th
    $62,330
    90th
    $76,270

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 60% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 40% 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
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $69,740
    Wisconsin $62,360
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $61,630
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $61,400
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $61,380

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $48,030
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,730
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,840
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $52,000
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators $50,180
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $60,390

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Charleston, SC is $23.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.98 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston 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 Charleston, SC is 15.8% 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 Charleston?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,460 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,670.