Chemical Plant and System Operators Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $67,450 -8.3% vs national
Median hourly $32.43
10th percentile $57,650
90th percentile $75,730
Employed locally 40
National median $73,540

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Chemical Plant and System Operators
in
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,650
    25th
    $58,540
    50th (median)
    $67,450
    75th
    $74,200
    90th
    $75,730

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Plant and System Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $117,430
    North Dakota $112,970
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $108,370
    Wyoming $104,420
    Lake Charles, LA $102,310
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $101,150

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,880
    Food Batchmakers$38,010
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,580
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,420
    Machinists$46,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Northwest Illinois is $32.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.41 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois above or below average for Chemical Plant and System Operators salaries?

    The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Northwest Illinois is 8.3% below the national median of $73,540. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Plant and System Operators in Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Chemical Plant and System Operators (10th percentile) earn around $57,650 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,540.