Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Illinois
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Illinois earn a median of $61,940 a year ($29.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,600 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $58,040. Illinois ranks 12th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 0.92 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| 25th percentile | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Median | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 75th percentile | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,600 | $44.04 |
| Average (mean) | $64,120 | $30.83 |
Half of chemical equipment operators and tenders 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 | $5,161.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,580.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,382.31 |
| Weekly | $1,191.15 |
| Hourly | $29.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $62,500 | 170 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,250 | 4,510 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $53,500 | 1,250 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $44,220 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for chemical equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $101,590 |
| Alabama | $80,330 |
| Montana | $79,570 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $77,100 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 |
| Washington | $67,300 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 |
See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,400 | $27.11 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,740 | $23.92 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $36,840 | $17.71 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9011. 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 chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Illinois is $61,940 a year, or $29.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Illinois earn at least $91,600 a year. The top 25% earn $80,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,210 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $47,000 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Illinois?
About 5,580 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.