South Carolina Median
$52,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#36 of 50
2,650 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in South Carolina?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $52,090 per year, or about $25.04 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $60,020 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,060 while the top 10% make $76,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,810 and $63,370 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,810 | $22.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,090 | $25.04 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,370 | $30.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,850 | $36.95 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 36th 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 $52,210Alabama $51,870North Carolina $51,680Tennessee $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 South 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 South Carolina pay ($52,090) 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 South Carolina?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in South Carolina is $52,090 per year, or about $25.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,060 at the entry level to $76,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 13% less than the national median of $60,020. South Carolina ranks 36th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,090 a year. About 2,650 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.