Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$53,370
Median Annual Salary
▼
-1.3% vs 2024
$55,750
Mean Salary
$53,370
Median Salary
$25.66
Hourly Rate
1,060 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota earn a median salary of $53,370 per year ($4,447/month).
This is 11.0% below the national average of $59,966.
South Dakota ranks #34 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay.
Approximately 1,060 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
Salaries decreased by 1.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.75
Monitoring
3.62
Active Listening
3.38
Quality Control Analysis
3.38
Key Knowledge Areas
Chemistry
3.98
Biology
3.9
Mechanical
3.89
Mathematics
3.62
Public Safety and Security
3.48
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(41.8% of workers)
Salary Range: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota range from $43,890 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $73,170 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $48,100 and $62,230.
Median $53,370
P10: $43,890P25: $48,100P75: $62,230P90: $73,170
10th
$43,890
25th
$48,100
Median
$53,370
75th
$62,230
90th
$73,170
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$43,890
$21.10
$3,657
25th Percentile
$48,100
$23.12
$4,008
Median (50th)
$53,370
$25.66
$4,447
75th Percentile
$62,230
$29.92
$5,185
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$73,170
$35.18
$6,097
Note: The mean (average) salary of $55,750 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#34
South Dakota ranks #34 of 50 states
$59,966
National avg. for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota is $53,370 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $55,750.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota range from $43,890 at the 10th percentile to $73,170 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $48,100 and $62,230.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in South Dakota typically start around $43,890 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $48,100 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,060 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota is approximately $25.66 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.