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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston, WV

Median annual salary $39,460 -32.3% vs national
Median hourly $18.97
10th percentile $29,820
90th percentile $45,150
Employed locally 140
National median $58,260

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

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

Full tool →
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Charleston, WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,820
    25th
    $36,600
    50th (median)
    $39,460
    75th
    $44,590
    90th
    $45,150

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,089 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 68% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 32% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $69,460
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $55,430
    Wheeling, WV-OH $51,290
    Winchester, VA-WV $49,680
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $49,550
    Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH $47,300

    Related occupations in Charleston, WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $34,900
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,300
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $38,990
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders $77,670
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,770
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $50,690

    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, WV is $18.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.56 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, WV is 32.3% 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 $29,820 per year in Charleston, WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,600.