Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $57,020 -2.1% vs national
Median hourly $27.41
10th percentile $38,470
90th percentile $76,380
Employed locally 190
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
in
Northwest Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,470
    25th
    $47,450
    50th (median)
    $57,020
    75th
    $63,270
    90th
    $76,380

    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

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,880
    Food Batchmakers $38,010
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,580
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,420
    Machinists $46,860

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Northwest Illinois is $27.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.63 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois 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 Northwest Illinois is 2.1% below 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 Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,470 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,450.