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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $51,630 -11.4% vs national
Median hourly $24.82
10th percentile $38,160
90th percentile $64,020
Employed locally 390
National median $58,260

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

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

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,160
    25th
    $44,270
    50th (median)
    $51,630
    75th
    $59,700
    90th
    $64,020

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 78% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 22% 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 Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,710
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,920
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$38,280
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$36,130
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Columbia, SC is $24.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.02 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia 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 Columbia, SC is 11.4% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,160 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,270.