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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $52,480 -9.9% vs national
Median hourly $25.23
10th percentile $42,220
90th percentile $65,820
Employed locally 170
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
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,220
    25th
    $45,810
    50th (median)
    $52,480
    75th
    $60,120
    90th
    $65,820

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 71% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 29% 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 Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37,890
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,360
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$82,920
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$55,700
    Bakers$34,410
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$47,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Wilmington, NC is $25.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.05 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC is 9.9% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $42,220 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,810.