verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$97,740/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$46.99/hr
▲ 63% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
12,290
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$97,781 #2 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in Illinois, explained

Heavy equipment operators in Illinois earn a median of $97,740 per year ($46.99 per hour), which is 63% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $49,770, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $123,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $97,740 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $97,740 is worth about $97,781 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #2 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$49,770
$23.93/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$97,740
$46.99/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$123,330
$59.29/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $97,740 $97,781
Indiana $79,580 $85,268 +$18,160
Wisconsin $75,280 $80,004 +$22,460
Missouri $60,540 $66,662 +$37,200
Iowa $60,330 $68,743 +$37,410
Kentucky $57,780 $64,087 +$39,960

Heavy Equipment Operator in Illinois: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Illinois?

Heavy equipment operators in Illinois earn a median of $97,740 per year ($46.99 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does Illinois pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $97,740, Illinois pays 63% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 12,290 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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