Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay range in Duluth
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,750 a year or less, while the top 10% make $82,780 or more. The middle half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Duluth earn between $61,820 and $75,850.
- $48K10th
- $62K25th
- $66KMedian
- $76K75th
- $83K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $66,640 | $5,553 | $32.04 |
| Median | $65,640 | $5,470 | $31.56 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,820 | $5,152 | $29.72 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,850 | $6,321 | $36.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Duluth vs. Minnesota and the U.S.
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Duluth earn 7% less than the Minnesota average ($71,490) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($62,540). At the median the gap is +9% against the U.S. median of $60,020.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $66,640 | $65,640 | $47,750 | $82,780 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $71,490 | $74,670 | $52,130 | $87,250 | 2,290 |
| United States | $62,540 | $60,020 | $39,110 | $91,060 | 128,490 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary after taxes in Duluth
On the average salary of $66,640, a single filer in Duluth takes home about $52,703 a year, or $4,392 a month and $2,027 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Duluth, MN-WI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WI | $53,264 | $4,439 |
| Working in MN | $52,703 | $4,392 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Is Duluth a good place for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Duluth area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.8), so the average $66,640 buys what about $75,072 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Duluth ($50,000). A typical home costs $264,350, or 4.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other Minnesota cities
Duluth ranks 5th of 5 Minnesota metro areas for this job; Rochester pays the most ($77,780).
- Rochester$77,780
- Minneapolis$74,600
- St. Cloud$69,950
- Mankato$68,120
- Duluth$66,640
All Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries in Minnesota
Highest-paying cities for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($116,800).
- San Francisco, CA$116,800
- San Jose, CA$106,990
- Vallejo, CA$99,500
- Napa, CA$97,320
- Fairbanks, AK$93,870
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by city
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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Duluth: questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make an hour in Duluth?
$32.04 an hour on average, and $31.56 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary in Duluth?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,750 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,820, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators take-home pay in Duluth?
About $52,703 a year ($4,392 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $66,640. Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more in Duluth than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($62,540).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8031; area Duluth, MN-WI (20260). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.78, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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