Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Illinois
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Illinois earn a median of $43,150 a year ($20.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,050 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $43,220. Illinois ranks 26th of 50 states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders pay. There are 4.8 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 25th percentile | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Median | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| 75th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Average (mean) | $44,740 | $21.51 |
Half of packaging and filling machine 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 | $3,595.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,797.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,659.62 |
| Weekly | $829.81 |
| Hourly | $20.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $59,160 | 160 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $47,460 | 4,910 |
| Kankakee, IL | $45,480 | 800 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $43,290 | 21,830 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $42,930 | 390 |
| Bloomington, IL | $41,330 | 130 |
| Rockford, IL | $40,990 | 1,380 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $40,600 | 550 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $38,180 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $36,850 | 630 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine 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 |
| 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 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 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 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Illinois is $43,150 a year, or $20.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Illinois earn at least $60,050 a year. The top 25% earn $48,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,880 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $37,590 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Illinois?
About 29,400 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.