Gas Plant Operators Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $104,810 +25.7% vs national
Median hourly $50.39
10th percentile $65,940
90th percentile $108,200
Employed locally 630
National median $83,400

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Gas Plant Operators
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Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,940
    25th
    $66,780
    50th (median)
    $104,810
    75th
    $105,150
    90th
    $108,200

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Gas Plant Operators salary vs area income 118% Median Gas Plant Operators salary is 18% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Gas Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $126,640
    California $124,980
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $124,100
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $118,640
    Baton Rouge, LA $113,570
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $107,810

    Nearby metros — Gas Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $118,640
    South Illinois nonmetropolitan area $95,950
    Illinois $95,950
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $92,970
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $87,170
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $86,530

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $47,330
    Machinists $57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Gas Plant Operators make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Gas Plant Operators in Chicago, IL-IN is $50.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.27 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Gas Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Gas Plant Operators salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 25.7% above the national median of $83,400. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Gas Plant Operators in Chicago?

    Entry-level Gas Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $65,940 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,780.