How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Durham?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $29.50 an hour or $5,113 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.50
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 147 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,140 | $22.66 | |
| 25th | $47,450 | $22.81 | |
| Median | $61,360 | $29.50 | |
| 75th | $62,610 | $30.10 | |
| 90th | $75,800 | $36.44 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
| Jacksonville, NC | $68,120 |
| Greenville, NC | $63,900 |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,640 |
| Wilmington, NC | $60,190 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $59,610 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $58,850 |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,600 |
| Greensboro, NC | $51,680 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $51,100 |
| Asheville, NC | $50,740 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,790 |
| Burlington, NC | $47,110 |
| Hickory, NC | $46,080 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $77,930 |
| Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker | $63,650 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $60,080 |
| Separating | $55,920 |
| Upholsterer | $51,060 |
| Machinist | $50,740 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $50,260 |
| Inspector | $49,390 |
| Welder | $49,280 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Worker | $49,110 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $29.50 ($61,360 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Durham than the national average?
Yes: $61,360 against $60,020 nationally, 2% more.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $51,680, so Durham pays 19% more.
Where does Durham rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
147 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,140 or less a year; the top 10% make $75,800 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.