SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Greenville
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC · 7 metro areas compared
At $61,660, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Greenville, SC tracks the national median of $60,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $61,660, median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Greenville, SC tracks the national median of $60,020 closely. Pay ranges from under $39,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,930 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,770 to $75,020.
The area has 390 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.08 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Spartanburg records the highest median at $61,240. Of the 507 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 196th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,960 | −33.4% |
| 25th | $47,770 | −20.4% |
| Median (50th) | $61,660 | +2.7% |
| 75th | $75,020 | +25.0% |
| 90th | $77,930 | +29.8% |
| Mean | $59,760 | −0.4% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartanburg | $61,240 | 250 | |
| 2 | Florence | $59,840 | 80 | |
| 3 | Columbia | $55,070 | 490 | |
| 4 | Charleston | $51,790 | 450 | |
| 5 | Myrtle Beach | $50,270 | 150 | |
| 6 | Hilton Head Island | $48,650 | 170 | |
| 7 | Sumter | $45,930 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Greenville run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $61,660 goes as far as $65,806 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,806US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,660 a year, 2.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,960 to $77,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 390 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Spartanburg, at $61,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Greenville, SC?
The median annual wage is $61,660, or $29.64 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Greenville, SC is 2.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Greenville, SC earns more than $77,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,960 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Spartanburg, at $61,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 390 jobs in this occupation in Greenville, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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