Logging Equipment Operator salary in Illinois
Logging Equipment Operators in Illinois earn a median of $71,100 a year ($34.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,490 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $49,740. Illinois ranks 2nd of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.05). The average (mean) salary is $62,930, close to the median.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| 25th percentile | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Median | $71,100 | $34.19 |
| 75th percentile | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,490 | $44.47 |
| Average (mean) | $62,930 | $30.26 |
Half of logging 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 | $5,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,962.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,734.62 |
| Weekly | $1,367.31 |
| Hourly | $34.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $41,050 | $19.74 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| 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 |
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 45-4022. 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 logging equipment operator make in Illinois?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in Illinois is $71,100 a year, or $34.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in Illinois earn at least $92,490 a year. The top 25% earn $78,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,990 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $42,260 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in Illinois?
About 40 logging equipment operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.