How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Charleston?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $24.90 an hour or $4,316 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.90
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among cities
- 250 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,970 | $17.77 | |
| 25th | $45,810 | $22.02 | |
| Median | $51,790 | $24.90 | |
| 75th | $63,170 | $30.37 | |
| 90th | $79,000 | $37.98 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Greenville, SC | $61,660 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,240 |
| Florence, SC | $59,840 |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,600 |
| Columbia, SC | $55,070 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,270 |
| Augusta, GA | $49,740 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $48,650 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,930 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $79,990 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,900 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $76,710 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $74,320 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operator | $67,540 |
| Coating | $62,280 |
| Machinist | $59,280 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $57,410 |
| Welder | $56,060 |
| Metal Worker and Plastic Worker | $52,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $24.90 ($51,790 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $51,790 against $60,020 nationally, 14% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $52,090, so Charleston pays 1% less.
Where does Charleston rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
250 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $79,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.