How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 710 water damage restoration technicians earning a median $48,780 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers”). Most water damage restoration technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in Illinois.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois employs approximately 710 workers in the related “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers” category (SOC 47-4090), with a median annual wage of $48,780 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track water damage restoration technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers (SOC 47-4090). Actual water damage restoration technician earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Illinois): $48,780 per year (based on related “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in Illinois
How to become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in Illinois? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for water damage restoration technicians in Illinois.
How long does it take? water damage restoration technician training length in Illinois varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do water damage restoration technicians earn in Illinois? The BLS does not track water damage restoration technician wages separately. Based on the related “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers” category, the median annual wage in Illinois is $48,780, with entry-level wages around $36,730 and experienced workers earning $74,390 or more 1.
How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in Illinois
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved water damage restoration technician program in Illinois that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to water damage restoration technicians in Illinois before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Water Damage Restoration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction laborers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 26,690 | $60,890 | $69,179 | $39,100 | $105,499 |
| St. Louis | 8,820 | $64,166 | $66,345 | $40,079 | $95,593 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,320 | $54,380 | $58,180 | $38,040 | $78,940 |
| Peoria | 1,020 | $62,960 | $65,360 | $39,130 | $97,740 |
| Decatur | 940 | $61,270 | $62,830 | $46,800 | $97,540 |
| Rockford | 830 | $58,390 | $64,230 | $38,950 | $97,350 |
| Paducah | 590 | $46,850 | $46,050 | $34,110 | $56,990 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 570 | $59,460 | $62,870 | $37,990 | $97,820 |
| Springfield | 510 | $61,400 | $62,250 | $37,750 | $97,130 |
| Bloomington | 380 | $60,650 | $62,560 | $36,360 | $93,780 |
| Cape Girardeau | 220 | $58,140 | $58,230 | $36,780 | $77,090 |
| Kankakee | 200 | $54,830 | $60,470 | $34,620 | $96,340 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for water damage restoration technicians in Illinois? Illinois employs approximately 710 workers in the related “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.
How much do water damage restoration technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for water damage restoration technicians in Illinois is $48,780 (based on the related “Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers” category), which is $660 above the national median of $48,120 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |