Agricultural Equipment Operator Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$46,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $41,730
State Rank
#18 of 40
1,910 employed here

How much does an Agricultural Equipment Operator make in Illinois?

Agricultural Equipment Operators in Illinois take home a median of $46,050 annually — roughly $22.14 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $41,730.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $37,660 while the top 10% make $58,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,310 and $48,600 a year.

Agricultural Equipment Operator salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,660$18.11
25th percentile (early career)$39,310$18.90
50th percentile (median)$46,050$22.14
75th percentile (experienced)$48,600$23.37
90th percentile (top earners)$58,300$28.03

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 18th out of 40 states and territories for Agricultural Equipment Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Montana$58,770
2Louisiana$58,520
3New York$50,020
4Delaware$49,910
5Massachusetts$49,150

Working as an Agricultural Equipment Operator in Illinois

Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Agricultural Equipment Operators in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($46,050) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Agricultural Equipment Operator make in Illinois?
The median Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Illinois is $46,050 per year, or about $22.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,660 at the entry level to $58,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Agricultural Equipment Operators about 10% more than the national median of $41,730. Illinois ranks 18th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Agricultural Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,050 a year. About 1,910 Agricultural Equipment Operators are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Agricultural Equipment Operator salary report

Related salaries

Logging Worker, All Other

$50,840
median pay · 2,000 employed

Faller

$52,100
median pay · 3,000 employed

Logging Equipment Operator

$49,740
median pay · 21,000 employed

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

$35,730
median pay · 25,000 employed

Agricultural Inspector

$49,940
median pay · 14,000 employed

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

$36,670
median pay · 33,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.