Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Springfield, IL
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in the Springfield, IL metro area earn a median of $58,990 a year ($28.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,020. Pay here is 13% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $67,810. There are 0.46 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $67,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Springfield, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| 25th percentile | $58,110 | $27.94 |
| Median | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| 75th percentile | $83,250 | $40.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Average (mean) | $67,240 | $32.33 |
Half of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,268.85 |
| Weekly | $1,134.42 |
| Hourly | $28.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $79,290 | 1,770 |
| Bloomington, IL | $79,220 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,830 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $63,440 | 220 |
| Decatur, IL | $62,150 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,720 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $60,380 | 120 |
| Kankakee, IL | $59,870 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,850 | 1,220 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $52,160 | 70 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $50,960 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,770 |
| Nevada | $81,440 |
| Washington | $80,800 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| New Jersey | $78,760 |
| Minnesota | $74,670 |
| Colorado | $74,200 |
| Oregon | $69,720 |
| Massachusetts | $68,550 |
| Illinois | $67,810 |
See Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Springfield, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $117,590 | $56.53 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,130 | $49.10 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,130 | $19.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,730 | $34.96 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Baker | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $49,370 | $23.73 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Machinist | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,530 | $28.62 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Springfield, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Springfield, IL?
The median salary for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Springfield, IL metro area is $58,990 a year, or $28.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators make in Springfield, IL?
The top 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the Springfield, IL metro area earn at least $100,060 a year. The top 25% earn $83,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Springfield, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,160 a year, and a quarter of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $58,110 or less.
How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work in Springfield, IL?
About 50 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed in the Springfield, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.