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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rochester, MN

Median annual salary $75,400 +29.4% vs national
Median hourly $36.25
10th percentile $56,060
90th percentile $88,710
Employed locally 90
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
in
Rochester, MN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,060
    25th
    $64,610
    50th (median)
    $75,400
    75th
    $88,710
    90th
    $88,710

    Rochester economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,675 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 84% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 16% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $74,680
    St. Cloud, MN $72,080
    Grand Forks, ND-MN $66,840
    Duluth, MN-WI $64,840
    Mankato, MN $64,840
    Fargo, ND-MN $63,960

    Related occupations in Rochester, MN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,470
    Machinists$59,630
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$58,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,200
    Production Workers, All Other$39,210
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,780

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rochester, MN is $36.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.17 or more per hour.

    Is Rochester 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 Rochester, MN is 29.4% above 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 Rochester?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $56,060 per year in Rochester, MN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,610.