Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › South Dakota
Water Treatment Operator Salary in South Dakota (2026)
$25.66 per hour · take-home ≈ $45,063/year ($3,755/month) for a single filer
South Dakota ranks 34th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 11% below the national average. Of the 1,060 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in South Dakota, the typical worker earns $53,370 a year — though pay ranges from $43,890 for newcomers to $73,170 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $43,890 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $48,100 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $53,370 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $62,230 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $73,170 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,060 Water Treatment Operator jobs in South Dakota (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Dakota
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $53,370 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in South Dakota), a single filer keeps about $45,063 — an effective tax rate of 15.6%.
| Gross (median) | $53,370 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,224 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,083 |
| South Dakota state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $45,063 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,755 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Dakota paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in South Dakota?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in South Dakota is $53,370 per year ($25.66 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $48,100 and $62,230.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in South Dakota?
- On the median salary of $53,370, a single filer in South Dakota takes home about $45,063 per year ($3,755 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.6%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in South Dakota?
- BLS counts 1,060 Water Treatment Operator jobs in South Dakota in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in South Dakota
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified South Dakota state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for South Dakota.