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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Operator in North Carolina is $51,237 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Wastewater Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Wastewater Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $58,090 | $4,841 | $1,117 | $28 |
| Average | $51,237 | $4,270 | $985 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,609 | $3,801 | $877 | $22 |
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - Wilmington, NC
Operators Unlimited - Hendersonville, NC
Smithfield Foods - Tar Heel, NC
Wayne-Sanderson Farms - Dobson, NC
A Wastewater Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Wastewater Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $45,242 |
| Wastewate... Level Wastewater Operator | $50,734 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $57,188 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $87,577 |
| Waste Wat... Level Wastewater Operator | $99,927 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Wastewater Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Wastewater Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Wastewater Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Wastewater Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $64,047 | $31.0 | 25% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $61,485 | $30.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $58,923 | $28.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $56,361 | $27.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $53,799 | $26.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Wastewater Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $58,090 | $4,841 | $1,117 | $28 |
| Average | $51,237 | $4,270 | $985 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,609 | $3,801 | $877 | $22 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Wastewater Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Republic Services
Browns Summit, NC
Republic Services | Browns Summit, NC
Republic Services - - Responsibilities: Operates and maintains wastewater treatment equipment to keep systems running. Maintains hazardous waste disposal i... more
7 Days Ago
Old North State Water Co, Inc
Jacksonville, NC
Old North State Water Co, Inc | Jacksonville, NC
ONSWC has an immediate opening for an Operator - In Training (OIT) in Jacksonville NC The Operator - In Training (OIT) is to assist and perform semi-skille... more
9 Days Ago
Friday Services
Columbus, NC
Friday Services | Columbus, NC
Biological Wastewater Operator II. Location: Columbus, NC 28722 Pay: $26.00/hour Shift: 1st Shift | Flexible Schedule (2040 hours/week). Job Details. We ar... more
7 Days Ago
US Government Jobs
Kinston, NC
US Government Jobs | Kinston, NC
Summary. This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Inte... more
7 Days Ago
US Marine Corps
Kinston, NC
US Marine Corps | Kinston, NC
Job Title. This position is in the Facilities and Infrastructure Management Department, Environment Division, Fleet Readiness Center East Detachment in Kin... more
7 Days Ago
Government Jobs
Smithfield, NC
Government Jobs | Smithfield, NC
Government Jobs - Full-Time - $39,885.18 - $67,804.81 Annually The Johnston County Public Utilities Department, Wastewater Division has Wastewater Treatmen... more
7 Days Ago
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