Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $32.60 an hour ($67,810 a year). About 3,500 people work in this job there.
That is 13% higher than the U.S. median ($60,020). Illinois ranks 10th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.31 | $42,240 |
| 25% of workers | $26.57 | $55,260 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.60 | $67,810 |
| 75% of workers | $39.97 | $83,140 |
| 90% of workers | $49.85 | $103,690 |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $79,290 | 1,770 |
| Bloomington | $79,220 | 60 |
| Rockford | $77,830 | 90 |
| Decatur | $62,150 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $61,720 | 90 |
| Peoria | $60,380 | 120 |
| Kankakee | $59,870 | 70 |
| Springfield | $58,990 | 50 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -5.7% over ten years, declining · about 10,000 openings a year (BLS)
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.