SOC 51-8031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Northwest Illinois
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $61,000 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $61,000 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,020. Half of workers earn between $47,910 and $81,070. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,540 and the ninetieth at $138,590.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.5 of every thousand jobs. Chicago leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $79,290. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 128th of 326 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,540 | −34.1% |
| 25th | $47,910 | −20.2% |
| Median (50th) | $61,000 | +1.6% |
| 75th | $81,070 | +35.1% |
| 90th | $138,590 | +130.9% |
| Mean | $71,510 | +19.1% |
Other 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 Northwest Illinois sit close to the national average, so $61,000 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$61,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,000US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,000 a year, 1.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,540 to $138,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in 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 Northwest Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $61,000, or $29.33 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 Northwest Illinois, IL is 1.6% 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 Northwest Illinois, IL earns more than $138,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,540 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 190 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL. 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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