Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Western North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $47,170 -19% vs national
Median hourly $22.68
10th percentile $37,170
90th percentile $57,950
Employed locally 300
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
Western North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,170
    25th
    $38,220
    50th (median)
    $47,170
    75th
    $50,240
    90th
    $57,950

    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

    Related occupations in Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$63,600
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$38,940
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,640
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,800
    Machinists$54,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Western North Carolina is $22.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.16 or more per hour.

    Is Western North Carolina 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 Western North Carolina is 19% 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 Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,170 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,220.