Power Plant Operator Salary in Chicago, IL
Power Plant Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $123,540 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $89,735 take-home, or $7,478 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median power plant operator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,384
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,659
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,791
- Illinois income tax$5,970
- Take-home pay$89,735
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Power Plant Operator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,910 | $42.75 | $67,122 | $5,593 |
| 25th percentile | $107,600 | $51.73 | $79,345 | $6,612 |
| Median (50th) | $123,540 | $59.39 | $89,735 | $7,478 |
| 75th percentile | $127,890 | $61.49 | $92,493 | $7,708 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,690 | $61.87 | $93,000 | $7,750 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $123,540 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median power plant operator's $89,735 take-home pay has the buying power of $86,621 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Power Plant Operator jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.75), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for power plant operators, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $123,540 | $89,735 | $86,621 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $131,770 | $94,597 | $84,039 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $104,620 | $82,430 | $83,576 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $103,900 | $76,949 | $71,074 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $99,000 | $73,268 | $69,897 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,870 | $76,317 | $67,200 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make in Chicago, IL?
The median power plant operator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $123,540 a year, or about $59.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $107,600 and $127,890.
What is a power plant operator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $123,540 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $89,735 a year ($7,478 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,970 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a power plant operator?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $102,040. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $86,621 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a power plant operator afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median power plant operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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