Power Plant Operator salary in Illinois
Power Plant Operators in Illinois earn a median of $104,440 a year ($50.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,040 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,040. Illinois ranks 20th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.19 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,620, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,330 | $37.18 |
| 25th percentile | $93,150 | $44.79 |
| Median | $104,440 | $50.21 |
| 75th percentile | $120,390 | $57.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,040 | $61.56 |
| Average (mean) | $103,620 | $49.82 |
Half of power 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 | $8,703.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,351.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,016.92 |
| Weekly | $2,008.46 |
| Hourly | $50.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| Springfield, IL | $102,130 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,820 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 51-8013. 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 power plant operator make in Illinois?
The median salary for power plant operators in Illinois is $104,440 a year, or $50.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Illinois earn at least $128,040 a year. The top 25% earn $120,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,330 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $93,150 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Illinois?
About 1,160 power plant operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.