South Dakota Median
$53,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $60,020
State Rank
#34 of 50
1,060 employed here
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in South Dakota?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in South Dakota take home a median of $53,370 annually — roughly $25.66 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $60,020.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $43,890 while the top 10% make $73,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,100 and $62,230 a year.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,890 | $21.10 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,100 | $23.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,370 | $25.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,170 | $35.18 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 34th 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 $60,990North Dakota $60,470Alaska $60,160Virginia $59,420Michigan $59,270Ohio $59,170Florida $59,030Montana $58,040Indiana $53,540Idaho $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 South 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 South Dakota pay ($53,370) 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 South Dakota?
The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in South Dakota is $53,370 per year, or about $25.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,890 at the entry level to $73,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators about 11% less than the national median of $60,020. South Dakota ranks 34th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,370 a year. About 1,060 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.