Gas Plant Operators Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a gas plant operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $104,810/year ($50.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $101,178 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 26.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $105K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About gas plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level gas plant operators (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K.Top earners bring in $108K or more - a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Gas Plant Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $125K | +50% | 630 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +29% | 90 |
| Oregon | $106K | +27% | 80 |
| Louisiana | $105K | +26% | 1,120 |
| New Jersey | $105K | +26% | 230 |
| Maryland | $104K | +25% | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $101K | +21% | 480 |
| Michigan | $98K | +18% | 480 |
| South Dakota | $98K | +18% | 80 |
| Illinois | $96K | +15% | 810 |
| Utah | $96K | +15% | 160 |
| Arizona | $95K | +14% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $94K | +13% | 250 |
| North Dakota | $94K | +13% | 160 |
| New York | $91K | +9% | 220 |
Track gas plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do gas plant operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $104,810 a year - that works out to about $50.39 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,940, and experienced gas plant operators can clear $108,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,411/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a gas plant operators salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median gas plant operators salary is worth about $101,178 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do gas plant operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.