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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $64,070 +10% vs national
Median hourly $30.81
10th percentile $45,910
90th percentile $77,260
Employed locally 330
National median $58,260

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

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,910
    25th
    $51,790
    50th (median)
    $64,070
    75th
    $65,610
    90th
    $77,260

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 67% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 33% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$38,640
    Production Workers, All Other$39,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71,670
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,490
    Bakers$35,780
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$54,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Raleigh, NC is $30.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.02 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC is 10% above 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,910 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,790.