Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $42,440 -0.7% vs national
Median hourly $20.40
10th percentile $41,300
90th percentile $50,670
Employed locally 220
National median $42,730

Compare Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,300
    25th
    $41,310
    50th (median)
    $42,440
    75th
    $49,820
    90th
    $50,670

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 48% Median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 52% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $66,110
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,670
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,350
    Colorado $59,990
    Appleton, WI $56,230
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $54,540

    Nearby metros — Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $54,540
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,410
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $47,840
    St. Louis, MO-IL $46,060
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,740
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $42,310

    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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $20.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.03 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.7% below the national median of $42,730. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $41,300 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,310.