Power Plant Operators Salary in Northwest Illinois

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

Median annual salary $96,300 -3.4% vs national
Median hourly $46.30
10th percentile $71,380
90th percentile $143,880
Employed locally 50
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Northwest Illinois stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
in
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,380
    25th
    $82,330
    50th (median)
    $96,300
    75th
    $133,690
    90th
    $143,880

    Top-paying metros for Power Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340

    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 Power Plant Operators make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Northwest Illinois is $46.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.17 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Illinois above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Northwest Illinois is 3.4% below the national median of $99,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Power Plant Operators in Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $71,380 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,330.