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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Minneapolis, MN

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$77,170

Mean: $74,600

~$60,193 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$37.10

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Minneapolis, MN — median $77,170/year, range $68,600-$81,320

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$68,600

Median

$77,170

75th %

$81,320

Median is in the 67th percentile of the typical range

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in other MN cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in MN.

About Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in Minneapolis, MN

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $77,170 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $74,600, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in this area earn between $68,600 and $81,320. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $37.10 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

↓↓ -3% growthDecline (BLS 2024–2034)

-3% as modern plants need fewer operators per shift. But here's the thing: experienced operators are retiring faster than positions are being cut, and aging infrastructure requires skilled maintenance. The people who stay in the field have strong job security.

Worth knowing: The highest-level state certifications (Level 4/A) are your bargaining chip. They're hard to get, they take years, and facilities can't legally operate without enough certified operators on shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minneapolis?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $77,170. The average (mean) is $74,600, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make per hour in Minneapolis?

About $37.10/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Minneapolis?

The middle 50% earn between $68,600 and $81,320. Below $68,600 is typically entry-level; above $81,320 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $77,170 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$77,170$60,193
Monthly$6,431$5,016
Biweekly$2,968$2,315
Weekly$1,484$1,158
Hourly (40h/wk)$37.1$28.94
Hourly (35h/wk)$42.4$33.07
Hourly (30h/wk)$49.47$38.59
Daily (8h)$297$232

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Minneapolis

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

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