Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Rockford, IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rockford, IL

Median annual salary $79,410 +36.3% vs national
Median hourly $38.18
10th percentile $51,900
90th percentile $96,820
Employed locally 80
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
Rockford, IL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,900
    25th
    $60,530
    50th (median)
    $79,410
    75th
    $80,300
    90th
    $96,820

    Rockford economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,571 2023 • Census ACS
    Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary vs area income 119% Median Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary is 19% above 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
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $77,800
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,190

    Related occupations in Rockford, IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,690
    Machinists$49,930
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$46,900
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$38,970
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Rockford, IL is $38.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.10 or more per hour.

    Is Rockford 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 Rockford, IL is 36.3% 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 Rockford?

    Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $51,900 per year in Rockford, IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,530.