Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $43,560 +7.4% vs national
Median hourly $20.94
10th percentile $38,370
90th percentile $56,850
National median $40,550

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,370
    25th
    $39,520
    50th (median)
    $43,560
    75th
    $47,440
    90th
    $56,850

    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

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $68,880
    Food Batchmakers $38,010
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $45,580
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,420
    Machinists $46,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Northwest Illinois?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Northwest Illinois is $20.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.33 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Northwest Illinois is 7.4% 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 Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $38,370 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,520.