Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant Operator in Illinois is $80,862 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Plant Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
Plant Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $91,306 | $7,609 | $1,756 | $44 |
| Average | $80,862 | $6,738 | $1,555 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,551 | $6,296 | $1,453 | $36 |
Fermilab - Batavia, IL
Airgas, Inc. - Elk Grove Village, IL
Opal Fuels - Marissa, IL
American Standard Circuits - West Chicago, IL
A Plant Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plant Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Power Pla... Level Plant Operator | $69,834 |
| Plant Ope... Level Plant Operator | $81,231 |
| Power Pla... Level Plant Operator | $91,228 |
| Power Pla... Level Plant Operator | $105,610 |
| Power Pla... Level Plant Operator | $121,929 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Plant Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Plant Operator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Durable, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Plant Operator positions in Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Plant Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Durable | $97,034 | $47.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Plant Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $91,306 | $7,609 | $1,756 | $44 |
| Average | $80,862 | $6,738 | $1,555 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,551 | $6,296 | $1,453 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Plant Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, IL
Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL
Title: Aquatic Plant Harvester OperatorExemption Status: non-exemptDepartment: Natural Areas - AquaticsReports to: Managing ecologist, curator of aquaticsS... more
3 Days Ago
City of North Chicago
Great Lakes, IL
City of North Chicago | Great Lakes, IL
Water Treatment Plant Operator. Under the general direction of the Water Plant Foreman and Chief Operator, this position performs semi-skilled and skilled ... more
3 Days Ago
Central Stone Company
Quincy, IL
Central Stone Company | Quincy, IL
Plant Operator/Maintenance. Here at Central Stone Company, we have spent the last 135+ years working to be the best at what we do. Through our limestone ag... more
7 Days Ago
Cargill
East Saint Louis, IL
Cargill | East Saint Louis, IL
Grain Plant Operator. Job Status: Hourly Full Time. Compensation: $24.43. Principal Accountabilities. Performing facility operations such as receiving and ... more
7 Days Ago
Opal Fuels
Marissa, IL
Opal Fuels | Marissa, IL
Lead Plant Operator. We are hiring for a Lead Plant Operator with experience to work at our Cottonwood RNG site, located in Marissa, IL as part of our Oper... more
6 Days Ago
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
University of Chicago | Chicago, IL
Utility Plant Operator. Under the direction of the Utility Plant Operator, operates, maintains and monitors boilers, chillers and all auxiliary equipment l... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
