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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
Southwest Minnesota 33027$29.37/hr$19.32/hr$24.52/hr$30.62/hr$33.93/hr$36.69/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and MiningN/AN/A
Manufacturing20$20.51/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities120$29.78/hr
Professional and Business ServicesN/AN/A
Leisure and HospitalityN/AN/A
Other ServicesN/AN/A
Public Administration1,770$31.36/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
St Cloud MN MSA 40$31.80/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 50$32.66/hrN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 50$29.49/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 60$33.04/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 70$30.27/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 90$33.87/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 100$24.91/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA 150$31.04/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 180$29.93/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 200$29.36/hr-1.7%
Southeast Minnesota 200$31.16/hr-1.3%
Southwest Balance of State 210$29.62/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 220$30.68/hr-2.0%
Northwest Balance of State 250$29.85/hrN/A
Northwest Minnesota 300$29.85/hr-4.9%
Southwest Minnesota 330$30.62/hr-5.2%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 680$34.23/hr-6.7%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 860$33.63/hrN/A
Minnesota 1,920$31.10/hr-5.0%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders 1,160$22.72/hr0.4%
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 650$36.59/hr-3.4%
Gas Plant Operators 190$45.95/hr-5.2%


  • 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.