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Power Plant Operators Salary in Illinois
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Power Plant Operators make in Illinois?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$104,440
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.4% vs 2024
$103,620
Mean Salary
$104,440
Median Salary
$50.21
Hourly Rate
1,160 people work as Power Plant Operators in Illinois
Power Plant Operators salary by percentile in Illinois
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Power Plant Operators in Illinois earn a median salary of $104,440 per year ($8,703/month).
This is 3.2% above the national average of $101,174.
Illinois ranks #20 out of 49 states for Power Plant Operators pay.
Approximately 1,160 people work in this occupation across Illinois.
Salaries increased by 1.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.88
Operation and Control
3.88
Speaking
3.5
Monitoring
3.5
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
4.32
Mathematics
3.95
Public Safety and Security
3.78
Chemistry
3.44
Engineering and Technology
3.42
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(73.7% of workers)
Salaries for Power Plant Operators in Illinois range from $77,330 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $128,040 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $93,150 and $120,390.
How much do Power Plant Operators make in Illinois?
The median annual salary for Power Plant Operators in Illinois is $104,440 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $103,620.
What is the salary range for a Power Plant Operators in Illinois?
Salaries for Power Plant Operators in Illinois range from $77,330 at the 10th percentile to $128,040 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $93,150 and $120,390.
What is the starting salary for a Power Plant Operators in Illinois?
Entry-level Power Plant Operators positions in Illinois typically start around $77,330 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $93,150 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Power Plant Operators in Illinois?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,160 people are employed as Power Plant Operators in Illinois.
What is the hourly rate for a Power Plant Operators in Illinois?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Power Plant Operators in Illinois is approximately $50.21 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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