Gas Plant Operator salary in Illinois
Gas Plant Operators in Illinois earn a median of $97,810 a year ($47.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,700 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $87,820. Illinois ranks 16th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.09 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $90,040, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| 25th percentile | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Median | $97,810 | $47.03 |
| 75th percentile | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,700 | $54.18 |
| Average (mean) | $90,040 | $43.29 |
Half of gas plant 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 | $8,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,075.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,761.92 |
| Weekly | $1,880.96 |
| Hourly | $47.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,810 | 340 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,970 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| 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 51-8092. 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 gas plant operator make in Illinois?
The median salary for gas plant operators in Illinois is $97,810 a year, or $47.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in Illinois earn at least $112,700 a year. The top 25% earn $105,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,880 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $74,420 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Illinois?
About 530 gas plant operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.