Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Illinois
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Illinois earn a median of $65,710 a year ($31.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,690 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $78,120. Illinois ranks 22nd of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.03 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $68,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| 25th percentile | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Median | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| 75th percentile | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Average (mean) | $68,240 | $32.81 |
Half of chemical 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 | $5,475.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,737.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,527.31 |
| Weekly | $1,263.65 |
| Hourly | $31.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,750 | 110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $52,330 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| Power Plant Operator | $104,440 | $50.21 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,810 | $47.03 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $123,980 | $59.60 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,470 | $48.79 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Machinist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. 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 chemical plant and system operators make in Illinois?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in Illinois is $65,710 a year, or $31.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in Illinois earn at least $83,690 a year. The top 25% earn $74,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,580 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $60,580 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in Illinois?
About 160 chemical plant and system operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.