Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in Illinois
In Illinois, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $63,790 at the median — $30.67 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in Illinois?
About water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $99K or more - a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $82K | +41% | 11,260 |
| Nevada | $79K | +36% | N/A |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 1,950 |
| Alaska | $77K | +32% | 570 |
| New Jersey | $75K | +29% | 2,040 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +28% | 750 |
| Minnesota | $70K | +21% | 2,050 |
| New Hampshire | $66K | +14% | 930 |
| Hawaii | $66K | +13% | 660 |
| Massachusetts | $66K | +13% | 2,480 |
| Oregon | $65K | +11% | 1,170 |
| Illinois | $64K | +9% | 3,870 |
| New York | $63K | +8% | 5,270 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | +7% | 2,110 |
| Vermont | $62K | +6% | 340 |
Track water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Illinois?
The median is $63,790 a year - that works out to about $30.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,460, and experienced water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators can clear $98,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,175/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 28.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators salary is worth about $63,790 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.