SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Rochester
Rochester, MN · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rochester, MN is $78,270 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 Rochester, MN is $78,270 per year, well above the national median of $60,020. The gap of 30.4% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $62,380 at the tenth percentile to more than $91,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,880 to $83,570.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.7 of every thousand jobs. Minneapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $77,170. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 103rd of 312 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,380 | +3.9% |
| 25th | $71,880 | +19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $78,270 | +30.4% |
| 75th | $83,570 | +39.2% |
| 90th | $91,860 | +53.0% |
| Mean | $77,780 | +29.6% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $77,170 | 1,010 | |
| 2 | St. Cloud | $74,670 | 100 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $69,830 | 60 | |
| 4 | Duluth | $65,640 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rochester sit close to the national average, so $78,270 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$78,270as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$79,381US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,270 a year, 30.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,380 to $91,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $77,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rochester, MN?
The median annual wage is $78,270, or $37.63 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 Rochester, MN is 30.4% 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 Rochester, MN earns more than $91,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,380 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 Minneapolis, at $77,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Rochester, 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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