The average salary for a water treatment plant operator in South Carolina is around $52,090 per year.
Avg Salary
Water treatment plant operators earn an average yearly salary of $52,090.
Wages typically start from $39,060 and go up to $76,850.
15% below national average Updated in 2025
Water treatment plant operator earnings by seniority
Top-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$36.95 per hour
$76,850 per year
Senior-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$30.47 per hour
$63,370 per year
Mid-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$25.05 per hour
$52,090 per year
Junior-level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$22.02 per hour
$45,810 per year
Starting level water treatment plant operator earnings begin at:
$18.78 per hour
$39,060 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Water treatment plant operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
| Hawaii | $65,560 |
| Delaware | $64,940 |
| New York | $63,990 |
| Vermont | $63,640 |
| Wisconsin | $63,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,310 |
| Wyoming | $63,260 |
| New Hampshire | $62,940 |
| Maryland | $61,870 |
| Maine | $61,870 |
| Rhode Island | $61,820 |
| Arizona | $61,340 |
| Utah | $61,290 |
| Nebraska | $61,220 |
| Iowa | $60,990 |
| North Dakota | $60,470 |
| Alaska | $60,160 |
| Virginia | $59,420 |
| Michigan | $59,270 |
| Ohio | $59,170 |
| Florida | $59,030 |
| Montana | $58,040 |
| District of Columbia | $54,880 |
| Indiana | $53,540 |
| South Dakota | $53,370 |
| Idaho | $52,210 |
| South Carolina | $52,090 |
| Alabama | $51,870 |
| North Carolina | $51,680 |
| Tennessee | $50,670 |
| Missouri | $49,940 |
| Texas | $49,460 |
| Georgia | $48,930 |
| New Mexico | $48,190 |
| West Virginia | $47,560 |
| Kansas | $46,780 |
| Mississippi | $46,480 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 |
| Oklahoma | $45,890 |
| Kentucky | $45,430 |
| Arkansas | $44,320 |
| Guam | $40,830 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,950 |
How do water treatment plant operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Water treatment plant operators earn about the same as related careers in South Carolina. On average, they make less than petroleum pump system operators but more than glaziers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum pump system operator salary | $58K |
| Gem worker salary | $60K |
| Precious metal worker salary | $60K |
| Machinist salary | $58K |
| Rigger salary | $51K |
| Water treatment plant operator salary | $52K |
| Sheet metal worker salary | $50K |
| Drill press operator salary | $52K |
| Welder salary | $50K |
| Glazier salary | $51K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)