How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make in Hickory?
Median yearly pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area. That is $22.15 an hour or $3,840 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.15
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 335 of 367
- Jobs in the area
- 170
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,210 | $17.41 | |
| 25th | $38,720 | $18.62 | |
| Median | $46,080 | $22.15 | |
| 75th | $50,330 | $24.20 | |
| 90th | $61,140 | $29.39 |
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 |
| Durham, NC | $61,360 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Hickory
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Hickory, NCFrequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make an hour in Hickory?
The median hourly pay in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $22.15 ($46,080 a year).
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make more in Hickory than the national average?
No: $46,080 against $60,020 nationally, 23% less.
How does Hickory compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $51,680, so Hickory pays 11% less.
Where does Hickory rank for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator pay?
335 of 367 metro areas with data.
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make starting out in Hickory?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,210 or less a year; the top 10% make $61,140 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.