Power Plant Operators Salary in South Illinois

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

Median annual salary $105,670 +6% vs national
Median hourly $50.80
10th percentile $78,940
90th percentile $105,670
Employed locally 360
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

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Power Plant Operators
in
South Illinois
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,940
    25th
    $104,860
    50th (median)
    $105,670
    75th
    $105,670
    90th
    $105,670

    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 South Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$38,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$68,900
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,970
    Production Workers, All Other$35,490
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,920
    Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$53,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in South Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in South Illinois is $50.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in South Illinois is 6% above 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 South Illinois?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $78,940 per year in South Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,860.