Helpers--Production Workers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Helpers--Production Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $41,480 a year ($19.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,660 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $39,070. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $41,480. There are 0.82 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $43,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| 25th percentile | $39,340 | $18.92 |
| Median | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| 75th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,660 | $24.35 |
| Average (mean) | $43,210 | $20.77 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $3,456.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,728.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,595.38 |
| Weekly | $797.69 |
| Hourly | $19.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $47,250 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $46,610 | 420 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,410 | 1,170 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,170 | 80 |
| Decatur, IL | $44,960 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $43,980 | 40 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $43,720 | 40 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $43,430 | 50 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $43,300 | 100 |
| Columbus, IN | $42,210 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $41,240 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,190 | 2,290 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,540 | 610 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $38,490 | 210 |
| Springfield, IL | $38,340 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $36,630 | 50 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,270 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $29,540 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
See Helpers--Production Workers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Medical Appliance Technician | $47,310 | $22.74 |
More: Production 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 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41,480 a year, or $19.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $50,660 a year. The top 25% earn $45,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,490 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $39,340 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,710 Helpers--Production workers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.