Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in South Carolina

In South Carolina, the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $25.05 an hour ($52,090 a year). About 2,650 people work in this job there.

$25.05Median hourly pay
$45,810–$63,370Middle half of workers, yearly
2,650People in this job in South Carolina

That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($60,020). South Carolina ranks 36th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in South Carolina

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.78$39,060
25% of workers$22.02$45,810
Half of workers (median)$25.05$52,090
75% of workers$30.47$63,370
90% of workers$36.95$76,850

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in South Carolina metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Greenville-Anderson-Greer$61,660390
Spartanburg$61,240250
Florence$59,84080
Columbia$55,070490
Charleston-North Charleston$51,790450
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach$50,270150
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal$48,650170
Sumter$45,93050

South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -5.7% over ten years, declining · about 10,000 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in South Carolina

JobMedian yearly pay
Civil Engineers$101,600
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$56,240
Power Plant Operators$79,900
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$46,660
Chemical Plant and System Operators$68,510

Other job titles for this job

Water Quality TechnicianWater Quality TechWater Treatment SpecialistRelief OperatorSewer OperatorWater Plant OperatorWater Pump OperatorWater PumperBasin TenderBiosolids Management TechnicianBiosolids Management TechClarifying Plant Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.