Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in St. Cloud, MN
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $74,670 a year ($35.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,910 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is about the same as the Minnesota statewide median of $74,670. There are 0.97 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,950, close to the median.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| 25th percentile | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Median | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,910 | $37.46 |
| Average (mean) | $69,950 | $33.63 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $78,270 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $77,170 | 1,010 |
| 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 or the Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $73,930 | $35.55 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Machinist | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| Food Batchmaker | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $57,980 | $27.87 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, MN
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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $74,670 a year, or $35.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $77,910 a year. The top 25% earn $75,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,090 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $62,940 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 100 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.