North Carolina Median
$51,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#38 of 50
3,620 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in North Carolina?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $51,680 per year, or about $24.85 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,860 while the top 10% make $75,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,850 and $61,740 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,680 | $24.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,740 | $29.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,600 | $36.35 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other states
California $81,770Nevada $81,440Washington $80,800Connecticut $78,820New Jersey $78,760Minnesota $74,670Colorado $74,200Oregon $69,720Massachusetts $68,550Illinois $67,810Hawaii $65,560Delaware $64,940New York $63,990Vermont $63,640Wisconsin $63,550Pennsylvania $63,310Wyoming $63,260New Hampshire $62,940Maine $61,870Maryland $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540South Dakota $53,370Idaho $52,210South Carolina $52,090Alabama $51,870Tennessee $50,670Missouri $49,940Texas $49,460Georgia $48,930New Mexico $48,190West Virginia $47,560Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in North Carolina
Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($51,680) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in North Carolina?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in North Carolina is $51,680 per year, or about $24.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,860 at the entry level to $75,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 14% less than the national median of $60,020. North Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,680 a year. About 3,620 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.