Helpers--Production Workers pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $50,660 or more. The middle half of helpers--production workers in Chicago earn between $39,340 and $45,970.
- $36K10th
- $39K25th
- $41KMedian
- $46K75th
- $51K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $43,210 | $3,601 | $20.77 |
| Median | $41,480 | $3,457 | $19.94 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $39,340 | $3,278 | $18.91 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,970 | $3,831 | $22.10 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Helpers--Production Workers pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Helpers--production workers in Chicago earn 3% less than the Illinois average ($44,570) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($41,120). At the median the gap is +6% against the U.S. median of $39,070.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $43,210 | $41,480 | $36,490 | $50,660 | 3,710 |
| Illinois | $44,570 | $41,480 | $36,550 | $59,590 | 5,210 |
| United States | $41,120 | $39,070 | $31,140 | $53,410 | 165,700 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Helpers--Production Workers salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $43,210, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $34,901 a year, or $2,908 a month and $1,342 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $35,633 | $2,969 |
| Working in IL | $34,901 | $2,908 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for helpers--production workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $43,210 buys what about $41,711 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 8.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in other Illinois cities
Chicago ranks 5th of 6 Illinois metro areas for this job; Decatur pays the most ($50,680).
- Decatur$50,680
- Peoria$50,300
- Champaign$44,410
- Rockford$43,880
- Chicago$43,210
- Springfield$41,550
Highest-paying cities for helpers--production workers
Napa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($54,850).
- Napa, CA$54,850
- Kahului, HI$52,210
- Albany, OR$52,010
- Oshkosh, WI$51,570
- Hagerstown, MD$51,320
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Helpers--Production Workers salary in Chicago: questions
How much do helpers--production workers make an hour in Chicago?
$20.77 an hour on average, and $19.94 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level helpers--production workers salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $39,340, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the helpers--production workers take-home pay in Chicago?
About $34,901 a year ($2,908 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $43,210.
Do helpers--production workers earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($41,120).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9198; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.77, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.77).
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