The average number of years of service for a Gaffney Board of Public Works employee is a staggering 24 years.

The utility’s generous wage scale appears to be big reason why.

More than 50 percent, or 38 of the utility’s 73 full-time employees, earn more than $50,000 a year, according to salary information released by the utility.

General Manager Donnie Hardin is the highest paid employee by far, earning $150,904, but he isn’t the lone 6-figure employee. Kim Fortner, the utility’s operations engineer, makes an annual salary of $115,003. Their salaries remain unchanged from a year ago since they didn’t accept a cost-of-living raise in the current fiscal year.

Two more employees top the $90,000 figure. John Williams, the electrical superintendent, earns $96,616 a year. That’s about $6,000 more than sewer plant superintendent Ronald Pack, who makes $90,750 a year. Zane Knight, the water plant superintendent, earns $86,154, and Matt Sellars, who supervises the distribution department, earns $87,360.

Eleven of the 38 employees who earn more than $50,000 are salaried employees. The remaining employees on the list are paid by the hour.

Randy Parris, an electrical foreman, is the highest paid hourly employee, earning $74,235 a year.

Hardin makes no apologies for the utility’s pay scale.

“It’s a competitive market for these type people,” Hardin said. “Most of the jobs require certification.”

Hardin added the workers’ high skill levels helps the utility keep its rates among the lowest in the state.