Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Illinois
Agricultural Equipment Operators in Illinois earn a median of $46,050 a year ($22.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,300 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $41,730. Illinois ranks 18th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.31 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| 25th percentile | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Median | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| 75th percentile | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Average (mean) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
Half of agricultural equipment 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 | $3,837.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,918.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,771.15 |
| Weekly | $885.58 |
| Hourly | $22.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $47,280 | 150 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $47,080 | 360 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $47,060 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $45,610 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,310 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IL | $45,280 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $41,050 | $19.74 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $71,100 | $34.19 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. 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 agricultural equipment operator make in Illinois?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in Illinois is $46,050 a year, or $22.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in Illinois earn at least $58,300 a year. The top 25% earn $48,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,660 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $39,310 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Illinois?
About 1,910 agricultural equipment operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.