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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Center Operations Engineer in Illinois is $79,431 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Data Center Operations Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Data Center Operations Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $1,635 | $41 |
| Average | $79,431 | $6,619 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,469 | $6,122 | $1,413 | $35 |
Kimmel & Associates, Inc. - Chicago, IL
BIC Recruiting - Elk Grove Village, IL
Blue Signal LLC - Mount Prospect, IL
Starcom Mediavest Group Germany Gmbh - Chicago, IL
A Data Center Operations Engineer'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 Data Center Operations Engineer'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 |
|---|---|
| Data Cent... Level Data Center Operations Engineer | $79,021 |
| Engineer ... Level Data Center Operations Engineer | $91,383 |
| Engineer ... Level Data Center Operations Engineer | $109,847 |
| Engineer ... Level Data Center Operations Engineer | $139,031 |
| Engineer ... Level Data Center Operations Engineer | $160,530 |
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 Data Center Operations Engineers. 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 Data Center Operations Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Data Center Operations Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Center Operations Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $99,289 | $48.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $95,317 | $46.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $91,346 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $91,346 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $87,374 | $42.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Data Center Operations Engineer'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 | $85,000 | $7,083 | $1,635 | $41 |
| Average | $79,431 | $6,619 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,469 | $6,122 | $1,413 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Data Center Operations Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TEKsystems
Chicago, IL
TEKsystems | Chicago, IL
Description We are seeking a reliable, handson Data Center Lead/Engineer to support ongoing buildouts in data center facilities. This role is critical as w... more
8 Days Ago
Roblox
Chicago, IL
Roblox | Chicago, IL
Every day, tens of millions of people come to Roblox to explore, create, play, learn, and connect with friends in 3D immersive digital experiences- all cre... more
8 Days Ago
Confidential
Chicago, IL
Confidential | Chicago, IL
Vice President, Data Center Operations. About the Company. Provider of tailored IT solutions, emphasizing human touch, reliability, and customer success. I... more
8 Days Ago
Oracle
Chicago, IL
Oracle | Chicago, IL
hackajob is collaborating with Oracle to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. Description Tracks and monitors ongoing Data Center cri... more
6 Days Ago
US Signal
Aurora, IL
US Signal | Aurora, IL
Job TypeFull-timeDescriptionUS Signal is a leading data center services provider, offering secure, reliable network, cloud hosting, colocation, data protec... more
8 Days Ago
Equinix
Chicago, IL
Equinix | Chicago, IL
Facility Operations Technician. Equinix is the world's digital infrastructure company, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that e... more
6 Days Ago
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