Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender Salary in Chicago, IL
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $61,250 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,507 take-home, or $4,042 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemical equipment operator and tender salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,170
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,798
- Medicare (1.45%)$888
- Illinois income tax$2,887
- Take-home pay$48,507
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,210 | $18.85 | $31,889 | $2,657 |
| 25th percentile | $46,940 | $22.57 | $37,718 | $3,143 |
| Median (50th) | $61,250 | $29.45 | $48,507 | $4,042 |
| 75th percentile | $79,390 | $38.17 | $60,896 | $5,075 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,060 | $42.82 | $67,220 | $5,602 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,250 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chemical equipment operator and tender's $48,507 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,824 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for chemical equipment operators and tenders, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $93,920 | $72,471 | $79,832 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $79,430 | $64,709 | $65,608 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,410 | $48,865 | $47,648 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $61,250 | $48,507 | $46,824 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $54,790 | $43,842 | $38,949 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $47,230 | $40,129 | $38,926 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: chemical equipment operators and tenders
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.6% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical equipment operator and tender make in Chicago, IL?
The median chemical equipment operator and tender salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,250 a year, or about $29.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,940 and $79,390.
What is a chemical equipment operator and tender’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $61,250 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $48,507 a year ($4,042 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,887 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a chemical equipment operator and tender?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $58,040. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,824 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemical equipment operator and tender afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median chemical equipment operator and tender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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