Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $65,970 a year ($31.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,010 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 9% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $60,470. There are 0.51 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $68,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| 25th percentile | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Median | $65,970 | $31.72 |
| 75th percentile | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Average (mean) | $68,520 | $32.94 |
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 | $5,497.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,748.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,537.31 |
| Weekly | $1,268.65 |
| Hourly | $31.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $78,270 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $77,170 | 1,010 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $74,670 | 100 |
| Mankato, MN | $69,830 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $65,640 | 180 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,660 | 60 |
| Bismarck, ND | $61,530 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,980 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,160 | 80 |
| Minot, ND | $57,320 | 70 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,660 | $22.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $65,970 a year, or $31.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $83,010 a year. The top 25% earn $83,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,080 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $58,870 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 80 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.