SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Minneapolis
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Minneapolis, MN is $77,170 per year, well above the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Minneapolis, MN is $77,170 per year, well above the national median of $60,020. The gap of 28.6% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $68,600 and $81,320. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $57,160 and the ninetieth at $87,510.
Employment stands at 1,010, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Rochester records the highest median at $78,270. Of the 670 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 280th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,160 | −4.8% |
| 25th | $68,600 | +14.3% |
| Median (50th) | $77,170 | +28.6% |
| 75th | $81,320 | +35.5% |
| 90th | $87,510 | +45.8% |
| Mean | $74,600 | +24.3% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Minneapolis sit close to the national average, so $77,170 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$77,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,266US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,170 a year, 28.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,160 to $87,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,010 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rochester, at $78,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Minneapolis, MN?
The median annual wage is $77,170, or $37.10 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Minneapolis, MN is 28.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Minneapolis, MN earns more than $87,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,160 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Rochester, at $78,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,010 jobs in this occupation in Minneapolis, MN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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