Occupation is in demand.
Wages vary by area of the country. Operators who work at water treatment plants in big cities tend to earn more. The operator's level of experience and training also affect wages.
Operators usually receive benefits that include health and life insurance, paid vacation, and a retirement plan. Some employers also pay for job-related training courses.
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators (SOC 51-8031)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $27.23 | $31.47 | $40.19 |
| Yearly | $56,644 | $65,447 | $83,586 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $23.72 | $29.38 | $32.95 |
| Yearly | $49,341 | $61,117 | $68,538 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $23.72 | $28.62 | $31.47 |
| Yearly | $49,341 | $59,539 | $65,446 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $31.18 | $40.39 | $48.61 |
| Yearly | $64,854 | $84,008 | $101,110 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $27.71 | $29.13 | $29.69 |
| Yearly | $57,649 | $60,576 | $61,764 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $31.72 | $38.46 | $42.09 |
| Yearly | $65,978 | $79,998 | $87,543 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $30.98 | $39.54 | $42.51 |
| Yearly | $64,450 | $82,246 | $88,413 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $30.11 | $32.83 | $38.57 |
| Yearly | $62,638 | $68,284 | $80,226 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $24.04 | $28.36 | $32.40 |
| Yearly | $49,997 | $58,984 | $67,392 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $23.92 | $30.23 | $40.76 |
| Yearly | $49,737 | $62,878 | $84,777 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $29.72 | $38.29 | $47.66 |
| Yearly | $61,823 | $79,647 | $99,117 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $34.99 | $40.30 | $48.71 |
| Yearly | $72,762 | $83,834 | $101,330 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $23.40 | $28.12 | $31.34 |
| Yearly | $48,687 | $58,499 | $65,198 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $24.62 | $30.29 | $39.76 |
| Yearly | $51,217 | $63,003 | $82,691 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $20.15 | $26.85 | $29.84 |
| Yearly | $41,917 | $55,839 | $62,048 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $27.59 | $30.62 | $37.75 |
| Yearly | $57,379 | $63,682 | $78,514 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $29.19 | $33.92 | $39.61 |
| Yearly | $60,718 | $70,560 | $82,386 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $23.72 | $28.62 | $30.60 |
| Yearly | $49,341 | $59,539 | $63,666 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $23.28 | $28.59 | $31.31 |
| Yearly | $48,428 | $59,477 | $65,122 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $22.42 | $26.43 | $30.14 |
| Yearly | $46,639 | $54,980 | $62,708 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $33.50 | $41.49 | $56.82 |
| Yearly | $69,672 | $86,295 | $118,183 | |
| United States | Hourly | $22.61 | $28.01 | $34.27 |
| Yearly | $47,020 | $58,260 | $71,280 | |