Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Conveyor Operators and Tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $45,570 a year ($21.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,420 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $42,420. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $44,290. There are 0.05 conveyor operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $55,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conveyor operators and tenders in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,890 | $19.66 |
| 25th percentile | $40,890 | $19.66 |
| Median | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 75th percentile | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,420 | $55.49 |
| Average (mean) | $55,160 | $26.52 |
Half of conveyor 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 | $3,797.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,898.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,752.69 |
| Weekly | $876.35 |
| Hourly | $21.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,140 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,780 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $44,390 | 200 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $43,350 | 230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,210 | 160 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,990 | 180 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $37,280 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for conveyor operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $62,830 |
| Iowa | $56,900 |
| Maryland | $56,120 |
| Alabama | $55,970 |
| Louisiana | $54,590 |
| Wyoming | $52,480 |
| New Jersey | $50,750 |
| Utah | $48,620 |
| North Dakota | $47,770 |
| Indiana | $46,300 |
See Conveyor Operators and Tenders pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $77,470 | $37.24 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving 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 53-7011. 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 conveyor operators and tenders make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for conveyor operators and tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $45,570 a year, or $21.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conveyor operators and tenders make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of conveyor operators and tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $115,420 a year. The top 25% earn $58,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for conveyor operators and tenders in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,890 a year, and a quarter of conveyor operators and tenders earn $40,890 or less.
How many conveyor operators and tenders work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 220 conveyor operators and tenders are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.