Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Water Distribution Operator in South Dakota is $41,557 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Water Distribution Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Water Distribution Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $45,684 | $3,807 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $41,557 | $3,463 | $799 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,120 | $3,093 | $714 | $18 |
City of Sioux Falls - Sioux Falls, SD
Azuria Water Solutions - JACKSONVILLE, FL
Valley Queen Cheese Factory - SUMMIT, SD
Valley Queen Cheese Factory - WILMOT, SD
A Water Distribution Operator'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Water Distribution Operator'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine O... Level Water Distribution Operator | $37,671 |
| Water Dis... Level Water Distribution Operator | $41,865 |
| Machine O... Level Water Distribution Operator | $47,502 |
| Machine O... Level Water Distribution Operator | $51,043 |
| Machine O... Level Water Distribution Operator | $74,160 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Water Distribution Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Water Distribution Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Water Distribution Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Water Distribution Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | $54,024 | $26.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $51,946 | $25.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $49,868 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $47,790 | $23.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $45,712 | $22.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Water Distribution Operator'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $45,684 | $3,807 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $41,557 | $3,463 | $799 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,120 | $3,093 | $714 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Water Distribution Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Valley Queen Cheese Factory
WAUBAY, SD
Valley Queen Cheese Factory | WAUBAY, SD
JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary The Water Systems Technician supports the daily operation, monitoring, and basic maintenance of plant water systems used t... more
3 Days Ago
Valley Queen Cheese Factory
CORONA, SD
Valley Queen Cheese Factory | CORONA, SD
JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary The Water Systems Technician supports the daily operation, monitoring, and basic maintenance of plant water systems used t... more
3 Days Ago
Valley Queen Cheese Factory
MILBANK, SD
Valley Queen Cheese Factory | MILBANK, SD
JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary The Water Systems Technician supports the daily operation, monitoring, and basic maintenance of plant water systems used t... more
3 Days Ago
Valley Queen Cheese Factory
SOUTH SHORE, SD
Valley Queen Cheese Factory | SOUTH SHORE, SD
JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary The Water Systems Technician supports the daily operation, monitoring, and basic maintenance of plant water systems used t... more
3 Days Ago
Mclane Company, Inc.
LONGMONT, CO
Mclane Company, Inc. | LONGMONT, CO
Take your career further with McLane. The McLane team is the driving force behind our success. A diverse group of professionals, from Sales and IT to Dispa... more
4 Days Ago
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
WILMINGTON, NC
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority | WILMINGTON, NC
Incumbents in this position serves as the team lead for Water Quality operations in the absence of the Water Quality Supervisor. This position coordinates ... more
4 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
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. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
