SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — St. Cloud
St. Cloud, MN · 4 metro areas compared
In St.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In St. Cloud, MN the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $74,670 a year, which is 24.4% higher than the national figure of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $62,940 and $75,290. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $60,090 and the ninetieth at $77,910.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. Rochester leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $78,270. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 107th of 326 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,090 | +0.1% |
| 25th | $62,940 | +4.9% |
| Median (50th) | $74,670 | +24.4% |
| 75th | $75,290 | +25.4% |
| 90th | $77,910 | +29.8% |
| Mean | $69,950 | +16.5% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $78,270 | 80 | |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $77,170 | 1,010 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $69,830 | 60 | |
| 4 | Duluth | $65,640 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in St. Cloud sit close to the national average, so $74,670 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$74,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$75,730US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,670 a year, 24.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,090 to $77,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median annual wage is $74,670, or $35.90 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 St. Cloud, MN is 24.4% 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 St. Cloud, MN earns more than $77,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,090 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 100 jobs in this occupation in St. Cloud, 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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