How much does a plant and system operator make in Illinois?
$77,780a year
Median yearly pay for plant and system operators in Illinois. That is $37.39 an hour or $6,482 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.39
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 44
- Jobs in the state
- 230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $55,080Median: $77,780Highest 10%: $84,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,080 | $26.48 | |
| 25th | $74,400 | $35.77 | |
| Median | $77,780 | $37.39 | |
| 75th | $84,220 | $40.49 | |
| 90th | $84,320 | $40.54 |
Cities in Illinois
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Chicago, IL | $80,660 |
| St. Louis, MO | $69,910 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for plant and system operators.
| 5. Montana | $81,340 |
| 6. Nevada | $80,000 |
| 7. California | $78,020 |
| 8. Illinois | $77,780 |
| 9. Iowa | $75,800 |
| 10. New York | $74,700 |
| 11. Oklahoma | $74,240 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plant and system operator make an hour in Illinois?
The median hourly pay in Illinois is $37.39 ($77,780 a year).
Do plant and system operators make more in Illinois than the national average?
Yes: $77,780 against $62,470 nationally, 25% more.
Where does Illinois rank for plant and system operator pay?
Illinois ranks 8 of 44 states.
Which city in Illinois pays plant and system operators the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with a median of $80,660 a year.
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.