Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $77,190 +32.5% vs national
Median hourly $37.11
10th percentile $49,820
90th percentile $107,880
Employed locally 1,970
National median $58,260

Compare Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary & buying power

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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,820
    25th
    $61,100
    50th (median)
    $77,190
    75th
    $93,840
    90th
    $107,880

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 87% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $123,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,440
    Vallejo, CA $101,670
    Napa, CA $99,450
    Fairbanks-College, AK $91,010
    Salinas, CA $90,610

    Nearby metros — Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $85,790
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $84,960
    Bloomington, IL $80,600
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,640
    Rockford, IL $79,410
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $77,800

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $47,330
    Machinists $57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Chicago, IL-IN is $37.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.29 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 32.5% above the national median of $58,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Chicago?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,820 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,100.