SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Illinois
Illinois · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois is $67,810 per year, 13.0% above the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois is $67,810 per year, 13.0% above the national median of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $55,260 and $83,140. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $42,240 and the ninetieth at $103,690.
Employment stands at 3,500, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Illinois ranks number 10th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $79,290. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 322nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,240 | −29.6% |
| 25th | $55,260 | −7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $67,810 | +13.0% |
| 75th | $83,140 | +38.5% |
| 90th | $103,690 | +72.8% |
| Mean | $71,820 | +19.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $79,290 | 1,770 | |
| 2 | Bloomington | $79,220 | 60 | |
| 3 | Rockford | $77,830 | 90 | |
| 4 | Decatur | $62,150 | 50 | |
| 5 | Champaign | $61,720 | 90 | |
| 6 | Peoria | $60,380 | 120 | |
| 7 | Kankakee | $59,870 | 70 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $58,990 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $67,810 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$67,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,810US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $67,810 a year, 13.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,240 to $103,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,500 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 10th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $79,290.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $67,810, or $32.60 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,020, so pay in Illinois is 13.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $103,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,240 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $79,290 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,500 jobs in this occupation in Illinois. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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