Illinois Median
$104,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.21
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#20 of 49
1,160 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Illinois?
Power Plant Operators in Illinois take home a median of $104,440 annually — roughly $50.21 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $102,040.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $77,330 while the top 10% make $128,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,150 and $120,390 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,330 | $37.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,150 | $44.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $104,440 | $50.21 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,390 | $57.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,040 | $61.56 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 20th out of 49 states and territories for Power Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Power Plant Operator salary in other states
Washington $131,620Nevada $131,400New Jersey $131,370Idaho $124,440North Dakota $122,160Hawaii $121,700Tennessee $115,920Maryland $111,260Oregon $109,830North Carolina $108,300Georgia $107,580Utah $107,120Alabama $107,080Indiana $107,000New York $106,990Montana $106,040Michigan $105,820New Mexico $105,510California $105,210Ohio $104,160Delaware $103,010Colorado $102,780Texas $102,510Mississippi $102,400Missouri $101,900Louisiana $101,170Iowa $100,500Massachusetts $100,140Wyoming $99,200Nebraska $98,210Rhode Island $98,050Arkansas $97,760Connecticut $97,460West Virginia $97,210Pennsylvania $95,800Minnesota $94,390Florida $94,290Kentucky $93,400Alaska $88,870Oklahoma $88,590Arizona $84,970New Hampshire $81,070Maine $81,060Kansas $79,980South Carolina $79,900Vermont $78,240Virginia $73,640Wisconsin $66,080
Working as a Power Plant Operator in Illinois
Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Power 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 ($104,440) 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 Power Plant Operator make in Illinois?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Illinois is $104,440 per year, or about $50.21 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,330 at the entry level to $128,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Power Plant Operators about 2% more than the national median of $102,040. Illinois ranks 20th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $104,440 a year. About 1,160 Power 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 Power 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.