Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $48,960 +18.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.54
10th percentile $40,920
90th percentile $61,850
Employed locally 50
National median $41,460

Compare Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,920
    25th
    $45,780
    50th (median)
    $48,960
    75th
    $52,000
    90th
    $61,850

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 55% Median Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-South Portland, ME $64,610
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $63,300
    Reading, PA $57,050
    Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA $56,100
    Virginia $55,900
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $55,900

    Nearby metros — Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $63,300
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $49,750
    St. Louis, MO-IL $46,330
    Evansville, IN $45,750
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $42,700
    Gainesville, GA $42,660

    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 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $23.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.64 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 18.1% above the national median of $41,460. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $40,920 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,780.