Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › South Carolina
Water Treatment Operator Salary in South Carolina (2026)
$25.05 per hour · take-home ≈ $42,066/year ($3,506/month) for a single filer
South Carolina ranks 36th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 13% below the national average. Of the 2,650 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in South Carolina, the typical worker earns $52,090 a year — though pay ranges from $39,060 for newcomers to $76,850 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $39,060 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $45,810 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $52,090 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $63,370 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $76,850 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,650 Water Treatment Operator jobs in South Carolina (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Carolina
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $52,090 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus South Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $42,066 — an effective tax rate of 19.2%.
| Gross (median) | $52,090 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,071 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,985 |
| South Carolina state income tax | −$1,968 |
| Take-home (annual) | $42,066 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,506 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in South Carolina?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in South Carolina is $52,090 per year ($25.05 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $45,810 and $63,370.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in South Carolina?
- On the median salary of $52,090, a single filer in South Carolina takes home about $42,066 per year ($3,506 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.2%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in South Carolina?
- BLS counts 2,650 Water Treatment Operator jobs in South Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in South 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 South 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 South Carolina.