Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$67,810
Median Annual Salary
▲
+6.3% vs 2024
$71,820
Mean Salary
$67,810
Median Salary
$32.60
Hourly Rate
3,500 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois earn a median salary of $67,810 per year ($5,650/month).
This is 13.1% above the national average of $59,966.
Illinois ranks #10 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay.
Approximately 3,500 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 6.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: 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.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.75
Monitoring
3.62
Active Listening
3.38
Quality Control Analysis
3.38
Key Knowledge Areas
Chemistry
3.98
Biology
3.9
Mechanical
3.89
Mathematics
3.62
Public Safety and Security
3.48
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(41.8% of workers)
Salary Range: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois range from $42,240 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $103,690 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $55,260 and $83,140.
Median $67,810
P10: $42,240P25: $55,260P75: $83,140P90: $103,690
10th
$42,240
25th
$55,260
Median
$67,810
75th
$83,140
90th
$103,690
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$42,240
$20.31
$3,520
25th Percentile
$55,260
$26.57
$4,605
Median (50th)
$67,810
$32.60
$5,650
75th Percentile
$83,140
$39.97
$6,928
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$103,690
$49.85
$8,640
Note: The mean (average) salary of $71,820 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#10
Illinois ranks #10 of 50 states
$59,966
National avg. for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois is $67,810 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $71,820.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois range from $42,240 at the 10th percentile to $103,690 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $55,260 and $83,140.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in Illinois typically start around $42,240 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $55,260 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 3,500 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois is approximately $32.60 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.