Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $50,000 -14.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.04
10th percentile $46,470
90th percentile $67,860
Employed locally 100
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Rapid City, SD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,470
    25th
    $50,000
    50th (median)
    $50,000
    75th
    $63,130
    90th
    $67,860

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 69% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $60,820
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $59,060
    Gadsden, AL $49,750

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$34,910
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$29,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,860
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,270
    Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$36,730
    Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rapid City, SD is $24.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.20 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Rapid City, SD is 14.2% below the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $46,470 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,000.