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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

51-8031 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.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Minnesota 2,030142$33.43/hr$24.04/hr$29.84/hr$32.97/hr$38.26/hr$41.75/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and MiningN/AN/A
Manufacturing40$26.03/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities130$29.42/hr
Professional and Business Services100$24.59/hr
Leisure and HospitalityN/AN/A
Other ServicesN/AN/A
Public Administration1,750$34.58/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 50$31.00/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 60$30.58/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 70$34.58/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 70$31.67/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 80$31.59/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 80$26.09/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 100$36.63/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 160$30.76/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 170$31.33/hrN/A
Northwest Balance of State 200$31.59/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 210$32.96/hr-4.1%
Northwest Minnesota 240$31.61/hr-2.2%
Duluth MN-WI MSA 240$30.62/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 250$31.77/hr-2.4%
Northeast Minnesota 280$29.84/hr-5.3%
Southwest Minnesota 280$32.14/hr-4.1%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 750$36.39/hr-5.5%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 940$36.03/hrN/A
Minnesota 2,030$32.97/hr-4.8%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders 1,420$23.81/hr-1.0%
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 1,120$31.45/hr3.7%
Gas Plant Operators 200$49.31/hr-9.8%


  • Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
  • Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
  • Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
  • Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
  • Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
  • Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
  • Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.