Assistant Operating Engineer Salary in Illinois

How much does an Assistant Operating Engineer make in Illinois? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Operating Engineer in Illinois is $96,904 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, an Assistant Operating Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,160
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,434 to $103,319
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,544

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Operating Engineer Salaries

An Assistant Operating Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Operating Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Operating Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $79,912
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,568
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,238
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,306
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,544
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $79,912
Assistant Operating Engineer 1-2 years $95,568
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $115,238
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $140,306
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $165,544

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Operating Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $89,326
  • Saint Peter: $89,204
  • Salem: $89,543

Assistant Operating Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Operating Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Operating Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Operating Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Operating Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $106,595 $51.0 10%
Biotechnology $106,595 $51.0 10%
Chemicals $106,595 $51.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $106,595 $51.0 10%
Financial Services $106,595 $51.0 10%

Assistant Operating Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Operating Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$90,434
Average $96,904/year
$103,319
$7,536
Average $8,075/month
$8,610
$1,739
Average $1,864/week
$1,987
$43
Average $47/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $103,319 $8,610 $1,987 $50
Average $96,904 $8,075 $1,864 $47
25th Percentile $90,434 $7,536 $1,739 $43

Find Your Next Assistant Operating Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Operating Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • HHM Hotels | Schaumburg, IL

    HHM Hotels | Schaumburg, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Opportunity: Assistant Engineer. Perform preventative and repair maintenance work to ensure hotel is maintained... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Marquette Management | Chicago, IL

    Marquette Management | Chicago, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Hiring immediately. Marquette Management Inc. www.marquettemanagement.com. i. s looking for an. Assistant Chief Engineer ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Regina Dominican High School | Wilmette, IL

    Regina Dominican High School | Wilmette, IL

    Assistant Building Engineer. Position Term: 12-Month Status: Non-exempt (hourly) Schedule: Monday - Friday Reports to: Lead Engineer. Position Overview: As... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Navigate Search | Chicago, IL

    Navigate Search | Chicago, IL

    PE / APM - Downtown Chicago - Diverse Full Service Developer. Location. Chicago, Illinois. The Opportunity. A nationally established real estate developer ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • BJC Healthcare | WESTWOOD, MO

    BJC Healthcare | WESTWOOD, MO

    Additional Information About the Role Position Highlights Monday - Friday No Holidays No Weekends Leadership Call Required Benefits eligible first day of m... more

    5 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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