How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Columbia?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $26.48 an hour or $4,589 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.48
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 226 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 490
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,670 | $19.07 | |
| 25th | $46,510 | $22.36 | |
| Median | $55,070 | $26.48 | |
| 75th | $61,630 | $29.63 | |
| 90th | $72,850 | $35.02 |
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 |
| Charleston, SC | $51,790 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,270 |
| Augusta, GA | $49,740 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $48,650 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,930 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $26.48 ($55,070 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $55,070 against $60,020 nationally, 8% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $52,090, so Columbia pays 6% more.
Where does Columbia rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
226 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $72,850 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.