Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $42,890 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $20.62
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $54,330
Employed locally 830
National median $40,550

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $39,000
    50th (median)
    $42,890
    75th
    $49,610
    90th
    $54,330

    Chicago economic context

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

    Top-paying metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $80,310
    Cedar Rapids, IA $63,690
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $62,910
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $60,250
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,140
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $55,870

    Nearby metros — Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $48,460
    Evansville, IN $48,070
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $47,540
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,790
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $44,240
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,140

    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 Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $20.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.29 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 5.8% above the national median of $40,550. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,000.