North Dakota Median
$60,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#26 of 50
550 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in North Dakota?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in North Dakota take home a median of $60,470 annually — roughly $29.07 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $60,020.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,250 while the top 10% make $78,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,130 and $72,940 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,250 | $22.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,130 | $24.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,470 | $29.07 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,940 | $35.07 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other states
California $81,770Nevada $81,440Washington $80,800Connecticut $78,820New Jersey $78,760Minnesota $74,670Colorado $74,200Oregon $69,720Massachusetts $68,550Illinois $67,810Hawaii $65,560Delaware $64,940New York $63,990Vermont $63,640Wisconsin $63,550Pennsylvania $63,310Wyoming $63,260New Hampshire $62,940Maine $61,870Maryland $61,870Rhode Island $61,820Arizona $61,340Utah $61,290Nebraska $61,220Iowa $60,990Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540South Dakota $53,370Idaho $52,210South Carolina $52,090Alabama $51,870North Carolina $51,680Tennessee $50,670Missouri $49,940Texas $49,460Georgia $48,930New Mexico $48,190West Virginia $47,560Kansas $46,780Mississippi $46,480Louisiana $46,210Oklahoma $45,890Kentucky $45,430Arkansas $44,320
Working as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in North Dakota
Nationally, about 128,000 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Dakota pay ($60,470) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in North Dakota?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in North Dakota is $60,470 per year, or about $29.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,250 at the entry level to $78,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 1% more than the national median of $60,020. North Dakota ranks 26th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,470 a year. About 550 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.