How much does a plant and system operator make in Chicago?
$80,660a year
Median yearly pay for plant and system operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $38.78 an hour or $6,722 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.78
- Vs. national median
- +29%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 69
- Jobs in the area
- 160
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $73,600Median: $80,660Highest 10%: $84,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,600 | $35.38 | |
| 25th | $79,540 | $38.24 | |
| Median | $80,660 | $38.78 | |
| 75th | $84,320 | $40.54 | |
| 90th | $84,320 | $40.54 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for plant and system operators.
| St. Louis, MO | $69,910 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Chicago, ILFrequently asked questions
How much does a plant and system operator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $38.78 ($80,660 a year).
Do plant and system operators make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $80,660 against $62,470 nationally, 29% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $77,780, so Chicago pays 4% more.
Where does Chicago rank for plant and system operator pay?
12 of 69 metro areas with data.
How much does a plant and system operator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $73,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $84,320 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.