Illinois Median
$97,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#16 of 43
530 employed here
How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in Illinois?
Gas Plant Operators in Illinois take home a median of $97,810 annually — roughly $47.02 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $87,820.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $51,880 while the top 10% make $112,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,420 and $105,930 a year.
Gas Plant Operator salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,880 | $24.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,810 | $47.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $105,930 | $50.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,700 | $54.18 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 16th out of 43 states and territories for Gas Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Gas Plant Operator salary in other states
California $130,220New Jersey $110,900Oregon $109,760Connecticut $109,060Louisiana $108,350Arizona $104,600Massachusetts $103,830Maryland $102,950South Dakota $101,450Arkansas $100,870Michigan $100,500Minnesota $100,500New York $98,390Utah $98,300Colorado $98,080New Mexico $97,660North Dakota $96,760Maine $93,990Iowa $92,970Missouri $87,820Nebraska $87,790Virginia $86,500Indiana $85,790Wisconsin $85,080Washington $83,650Montana $83,630West Virginia $82,600Ohio $82,130Mississippi $81,600Wyoming $81,550North Carolina $81,460Georgia $81,220Pennsylvania $80,810Kansas $80,760Texas $79,910Idaho $79,280Oklahoma $78,310Alabama $77,120South Carolina $67,580Florida $67,170Tennessee $66,560Kentucky $63,070
Working as a Gas Plant Operator in Illinois
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Gas Plant 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 ($97,810) 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 a Gas Plant Operator make in Illinois?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in Illinois is $97,810 per year, or about $47.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,880 at the entry level to $112,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Gas Plant Operators about 11% more than the national median of $87,820. Illinois ranks 16th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,810 a year. About 530 Gas Plant 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 Gas Plant Operator 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.