Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary in North Dakota
How much does a Wastewater Plant Operator I make in North Dakota?
As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wastewater Plant Operator I in North Dakota is $48,491 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, a Wastewater Plant Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,183
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,006 to $53,041
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,922
10%$39,922
50% (Median)$48,491
90%$57,183
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salaries by Percentile
Key Factors That Influence Wastewater Plant Operator I Salaries
A Wastewater Plant Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors.
Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
How Experience Level Affects Wastewater Plant Operator I Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Wastewater Plant Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
Wastewater Plant Operator I (0-1 years): $48,491
Waste Water Treatment Technician II (1-3 years): $54,380
Waste Water Treatment Technician III (3-5 years): $61,303
Waste Water Treatment Superintendent (5+ years): $93,850
Waste Water Treatment Plant Manager (5+ years): $107,095
How Do Wastewater Plant Operator I Salaries Vary from State to State?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Wastewater Plant Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Top Paying Cities for Wastewater Plant Operator Is
Salaries can also vary between different cities.
Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay.
Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Wastewater Plant Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $54,034.
While startup companies pay approximate $45,802.
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$45,802
Growth Stage
51~500
$48,413
Established
501~5000
$52,188
Enterprise
5000+
$54,034
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Wastewater Plant Operator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 57% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average.
In contrast, Wastewater Plant Operator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Wastewater Plant Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Wastewater Plant Operator I
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities
$63,817
$31.0
30%
Aerospace & Defense
$61,362
$30.0
25%
Biotechnology
$56,453
$27.0
15%
MFG Durable
$53,999
$26.0
10%
Construction
$51,544
$25.0
5%
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Wastewater Plant Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting.
Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role.
Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$44,006
Average$48,491/year
$53,041
$3,667
Average$4,041/month
$4,420
$846
Average$933/week
$1,020
$21
Average$23/hour
$26
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$53,041
$4,420
$1,020
$26
Average
$48,491
$4,041
$933
$23
25th Percentile
$44,006
$3,667
$846
$21
Wastewater Plant Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path
For a Wastewater Plant Operator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Wastewater Plant Operator II role.
This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to
$54,380 - a projected growth of
12%
over your current level.
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Cost of Living In North Dakota
Cost of Living in North Dakota is
-1.2% Lower
than the National Average
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right.
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