Power Plant Operator salary in Springfield, IL
Power Plant Operators in the Springfield, IL metro area earn a median of $102,130 a year ($49.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,530 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $104,440. There are 0.40 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,380, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Springfield, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,340 | $30.93 |
| 25th percentile | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Median | $102,130 | $49.10 |
| 75th percentile | $123,530 | $59.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,530 | $59.39 |
| Average (mean) | $101,380 | $48.74 |
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 | $8,510.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,255.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,928.08 |
| Weekly | $1,964.04 |
| Hourly | $49.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Springfield, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $117,590 | $56.53 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,130 | $19.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,730 | $34.96 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Baker | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $49,370 | $23.73 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Machinist | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,530 | $28.62 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Springfield, IL
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 Springfield, IL?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Springfield, IL metro area is $102,130 a year, or $49.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Springfield, IL?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Springfield, IL metro area earn at least $123,530 a year. The top 25% earn $123,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Springfield, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,340 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $92,410 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Springfield, IL?
About 40 power plant operators are employed in the Springfield, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.