Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator Salary in Chicago, IL
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $48,660 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,014 take-home, or $3,251 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer numerically controlled tool operator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,659
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,017
- Medicare (1.45%)$706
- Illinois income tax$2,264
- Take-home pay$39,014
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 →
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,990 | $18.75 | $31,723 | $2,644 |
| 25th percentile | $42,850 | $20.60 | $34,634 | $2,886 |
| Median (50th) | $48,660 | $23.39 | $39,014 | $3,251 |
| 75th percentile | $61,460 | $29.55 | $48,666 | $4,055 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,840 | $35.50 | $57,266 | $4,772 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,660 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 computer numerically controlled tool operator's $39,014 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,661 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for computer numerically controlled tool operators, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati, OH | $54,790 | $45,479 | $47,687 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $57,850 | $46,252 | $44,124 |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | $48,670 | $40,730 | $43,366 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $50,280 | $42,580 | $43,172 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $58,900 | $46,923 | $41,686 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $47,990 | $40,740 | $39,519 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $54,980 | $44,293 | $39,002 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $46,880 | $38,106 | $37,993 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $48,660 | $39,014 | $37,661 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
About the job: computer numerically controlled tool operators
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
- 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
- -9.4% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer numerically controlled tool operator make in Chicago, IL?
The median computer numerically controlled tool operator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $48,660 a year, or about $23.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,850 and $61,460.
What is a computer numerically controlled tool operator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $48,660 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $39,014 a year ($3,251 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,264 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a computer numerically controlled tool operator?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $50,690. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,661 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #9 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer numerically controlled tool operator 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) — 47% of a median computer numerically controlled tool operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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