Illinois Median
$65,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#22 of 35
160 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Illinois?
Chemical Plant and System Operators in Illinois take home a median of $65,710 annually — roughly $31.59 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $78,120.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $60,580 while the top 10% make $83,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,580 and $74,770 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,580 | $29.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,580 | $29.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,710 | $31.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,770 | $35.95 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,690 | $40.24 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 22nd out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710New Mexico $72,610Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110South Carolina $68,510Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440Washington $60,120South Dakota $59,970Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in Illinois
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($65,710) 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 do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in Illinois?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Illinois is $65,710 per year, or about $31.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,580 at the entry level to $83,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 16% less than the national median of $78,120. Illinois ranks 22nd out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,710 a year. About 160 Chemical Plant and System Operators are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Chemical Plant and System Operators salary report
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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.