Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $64,770 +13.5% vs national
Median hourly $31.14
10th percentile $43,210
90th percentile $87,800
Employed locally 2,700
National median $57,090

Compare Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,210
    25th
    $47,310
    50th (median)
    $64,770
    75th
    $78,660
    90th
    $87,800

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 73% Median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 27% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baton Rouge, LA $98,790
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $98,410
    Wyoming $85,480
    Montgomery, AL $84,360
    Mobile, AL $82,090
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,540

    Nearby metros — Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Mobile, AL $82,090
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $79,470
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $73,800
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $68,360
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $67,210
    Illinois $64,270

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,330
    Machinists$57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $31.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.82 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 13.5% above the national median of $57,090. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $43,210 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,310.