Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $54,870 -5.8% vs national
Median hourly $26.38
10th percentile $39,460
90th percentile $77,590
Employed locally 790
National median $58,260

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

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,460
    25th
    $47,240
    50th (median)
    $54,870
    75th
    $67,820
    90th
    $77,590

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 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
    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 Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$42,570
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,520
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,050
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,760
    Production Workers, All Other$37,820
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Charlotte, NC-SC is $26.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.18 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC-SC is 5.8% 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,460 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,240.