Salaries › Water Treatment Operator › Illinois
Water Treatment Operator Salary in Illinois (2026)
$32.60 per hour · take-home ≈ $53,178/year ($4,431/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 10th of 50 states for Water Treatment Operator pay, with a median about 13% above the national average. Of the 3,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $67,810 a year — though pay ranges from $42,240 for newcomers to $103,690 at the top.
Water Treatment Operator pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $42,240 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $55,260 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $67,810 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $83,140 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $103,690 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Illinois (occupation code 51-8031, “Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median Water Treatment Operator salary of $67,810 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $53,178 — an effective tax rate of 21.6%.
| Gross (median) | $67,810 |
| Federal income tax | −$6,088 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,187 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$3,357 |
| Take-home (annual) | $53,178 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,431 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Water Treatment Operator make in Illinois?
- The median Water Treatment Operator salary in Illinois is $67,810 per year ($32.60 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $55,260 and $83,140.
- What is the take-home pay for a Water Treatment Operator in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $67,810, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $53,178 per year ($4,431 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 21.6%.
- How many Water Treatment Operator jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 3,500 Water Treatment Operator jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Water Treatment Operators
Other salaries in Illinois
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Illinois state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Illinois.