Gas Plant Operator salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Gas Plant Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $102,810 a year ($49.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,890 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $87,820. Pay here is 5% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $97,810. There are 0.07 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $96,520, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| 25th percentile | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Median | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| 75th percentile | $112,660 | $54.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,890 | $54.27 |
| Average (mean) | $96,520 | $46.40 |
Half of gas plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,567.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,283.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,954.23 |
| Weekly | $1,977.12 |
| Hourly | $49.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Gas Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,970 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $78,730 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
See Gas Plant Operator pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| Power Plant Operator | $123,540 | $59.40 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Machinist | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Baker | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,160 | $19.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gas plant operator make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for gas plant operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $102,810 a year, or $49.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $112,890 a year. The top 25% earn $112,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,000 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $85,530 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 340 gas plant operators are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.