Power Plant Operators Salary in Illinois
The median pay for a power plant operators in Illinois is $103,020/year ($49.53/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $103K get you in Illinois?
About power plant operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators salary by metro in Illinois
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $103K | +0% | 600 |
| Springfield | $98K | -5% | 60 |
| Bloomington | $85K | -17% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Illinois?
The median is $103,020 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,920, and experienced power plant operators can clear $108,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,314/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 22.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a power plant operators salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median power plant operators salary is worth about $109,771 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do power 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.