Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Minnesota
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $74,670 a year ($35.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,250 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $60,020. Minnesota ranks 6th of 50 states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators pay. There are 0.78 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,490, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| 25th percentile | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Median | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,250 | $41.95 |
| Average (mean) | $71,490 | $34.37 |
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 | $6,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,111.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,871.92 |
| Weekly | $1,435.96 |
| Hourly | $35.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Minnesota
| 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 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $65,970 | 80 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $65,640 | 180 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,660 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,980 | 170 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,160 | 80 |
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.
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Power Plant Operator | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $101,910 | $49.00 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,630 | $50.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,550 | $37.76 |
| Machinist | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,940 | $20.64 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,960 | $19.69 |
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minnesota is $74,670 a year, or $35.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minnesota earn at least $87,250 a year. The top 25% earn $79,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,130 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $62,850 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Minnesota?
About 2,290 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.