Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $37,940 a year ($18.24 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,890 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $40,610. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $37,940. The average (mean) salary is $41,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 75th percentile | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Average (mean) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
Half of photographic process workers and processing machine operators 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 | $3,161.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,580.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,459.23 |
| Weekly | $729.62 |
| Hourly | $18.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,070 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,720 | 90 |
| Muncie, IN | $37,180 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for photographic process workers and processing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $57,760 |
| Virginia | $47,380 |
| California | $47,320 |
| Florida | $46,840 |
| Wisconsin | $46,480 |
| Washington | $46,280 |
| Maryland | $45,600 |
| Iowa | $43,310 |
| New Jersey | $43,300 |
| Delaware | $42,220 |
See Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators 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 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| 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 |
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 51-9151. 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,940 a year, or $18.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of photographic process workers and processing machine operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $59,890 a year. The top 25% earn $42,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn $31,200 or less.