How does Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior in North Carolina? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
85% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • North Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in North Carolina spans from $36,440 at entry-level to $67,330 at senior level — a difference of $30,890 per year.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in North Carolina earn $30,890 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary increases with experience in North Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $36,440 | $3,037 | $17.52 |
| Early Career | P25 | $40,260 | $3,355 | $19.36 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $48,460 | $4,038 | $23.30 |
| Experienced | P75 | $59,390 | $4,949 | $28.55 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $67,330 | $5,611 | $32.37 |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in North Carolina has a moderate salary progression with a 85% growth from entry-level ($36,440) to senior ($67,330). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($48,460) and P90 ($67,330) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does North Carolina rank for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators senior-level salaries? Compare North Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $36,440 per year, or $3,036 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $40,260. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $67,330 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $59,390. This represents a career premium of 85% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is 85%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,440, while senior-level can earn up to $67,330 — a difference of $30,890 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss is North Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $67,330 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for North Carolina from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within North Carolina.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS