Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Sumter, SC
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Sumter, SC metro area earn a median of $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,870 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 12% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $52,090. There are 1.4 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Sumter, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| 25th percentile | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Median | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 75th percentile | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Average (mean) | $46,670 | $22.44 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,827.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,913.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,766.54 |
| Weekly | $883.27 |
| Hourly | $22.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $61,660 | 390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,240 | 250 |
| Florence, SC | $59,840 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,600 | 790 |
| Columbia, SC | $55,070 | 490 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $51,790 | 450 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,270 | 150 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $49,740 | 180 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,650 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median 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 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sumter, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,690 | $34.95 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Machinist | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,920 | $13.91 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $34,790 | $16.72 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Sumter, SC?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Sumter, SC metro area is $45,930 a year, or $22.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Sumter, SC?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Sumter, SC metro area earn at least $64,870 a year. The top 25% earn $47,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Sumter, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,950 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $39,720 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Sumter, SC?
About 50 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Sumter, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.