Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › North Carolina
Water Treatment Operator Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$24.85 per hour · take-home ≈ $42,152/year ($3,513/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 38th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 14% below the national average. Of the 3,620 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $51,680 a year — though pay ranges from $37,860 for newcomers to $75,600 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,860 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $45,850 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $51,680 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $61,740 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $75,600 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,620 Water Treatment Operator jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $51,680 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $42,152 — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
| Gross (median) | $51,680 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,022 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,954 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,553 |
| Take-home (annual) | $42,152 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,513 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in North Carolina?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in North Carolina is $51,680 per year ($24.85 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $45,850 and $61,740.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $51,680, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $42,152 per year ($3,513 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 3,620 Water Treatment Operator jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in North Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified North Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for North Carolina.