Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waste Water Treatment Operator in North Carolina is $74,528 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Waste Water Treatment Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
Waste Water Treatment Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $84,155 | $7,013 | $1,618 | $40 |
| Average | $74,528 | $6,211 | $1,433 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,633 | $5,803 | $1,339 | $33 |
Darling Ingredients Inc. - Wadesboro, NC
Mountaire Farms - Siler City, NC
Darling Ingredients Inc. - Fayetteville, NC
Government Jobs - Raleigh, NC
A Waste Water Treatment 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 Waste Water Treatment 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 |
|---|---|
| Power Pla... Level Waste Water Treatment Operator | $64,364 |
| Waste Wat... Level Waste Water Treatment Operator | $74,868 |
| Power Pla... Level Waste Water Treatment Operator | $84,083 |
| Power Pla... Level Waste Water Treatment Operator | $97,338 |
| Power Pla... Level Waste Water Treatment Operator | $112,379 |
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 Waste Water Treatment 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 Waste Water Treatment Operator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Durable, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Waste Water Treatment Operator positions in Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Waste Water Treatment Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Durable | $89,434 | $43.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Waste Water Treatment 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 | $84,155 | $7,013 | $1,618 | $40 |
| Average | $74,528 | $6,211 | $1,433 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,633 | $5,803 | $1,339 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Waste Water Treatment Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Government Jobs
Clinton, NC
Government Jobs | Clinton, NC
Government Jobs - Full Time - $35,635.00 - $53,453.00 Annually Employee in this class performs a variety of operational, maintenance and laboratory duties ... more
7 Days Ago
Government Jobs
Pittsboro, NC
Government Jobs | Pittsboro, NC
Government Jobs - Full-Time - $40,189.00 - $65,396.00 Annually Performs technical work assisting in the operation of the water treatment plant, taking samp... more
7 Days Ago
Government Jobs
Louisburg, NC
Government Jobs | Louisburg, NC
Government Jobs - Full Time - $37,838.00 - $48,244.00 Annually An employee in this class performs intermediate semiskilled work in the operation and mainte... more
7 Days Ago
Government Jobs
Graham, NC
Government Jobs | Graham, NC
Government Jobs - Full-Time - $47,669.21 Annually General Statement of Duties Performs routine technical tasks in the operation of a water or wastewater tr... more
7 Days Ago
Government Jobs
Franklinton, NC
Government Jobs | Franklinton, NC
Government Jobs - Part-Time - $18.00 Hourly Franklin County Public Utilities Department is recruiting for a part time, Water Treatment Plant Operator I. An... more
7 Days Ago
J Cumby Construction Inc
Mooresville, NC
J Cumby Construction Inc | Mooresville, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. J. Cumby Construction is a fully licensed general contractor specializing in water and wastewater treat... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
