Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $41,900 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $20.14
10th percentile $34,170
90th percentile $61,290
Employed locally 10,170
National median $41,230

Compare Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary & buying power

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Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,170
    25th
    $35,650
    50th (median)
    $41,900
    75th
    $48,860
    90th
    $61,290

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary vs area income 47% Median Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Urban Honolulu, HI $77,560
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $72,950
    Hawaii $70,390
    Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $62,140
    Portland-South Portland, ME $60,660
    West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $60,000

    Nearby metros — Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $72,950
    Evansville, IN $59,830
    Peoria, IL $56,720
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $50,550
    St. Louis, MO-IL $49,220
    Mobile, AL $49,010

    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 Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Chicago, IL-IN is $20.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.99 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries?

    The median Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 1.6% above the national median of $41,230. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Chicago?

    Entry-level Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (10th percentile) earn around $34,170 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,650.