Helpers--Production Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Helpers--Production Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $41,480 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,601 take-home, or $2,800 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median helpers--production worker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,798
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,572
- Medicare (1.45%)$601
- Illinois income tax$1,908
- Take-home pay$33,601
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 →
Helpers--Production Worker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,490 | $17.54 | $29,838 | $2,487 |
| 25th percentile | $39,340 | $18.91 | $31,987 | $2,666 |
| Median (50th) | $41,480 | $19.94 | $33,601 | $2,800 |
| 75th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 | $36,986 | $3,082 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,660 | $24.36 | $40,522 | $3,377 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,480 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 helpers--production worker's $33,601 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,435 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Helpers--Production Worker jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.77), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for helpers--production workers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $37,290 | $32,143 | $32,589 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $41,480 | $33,601 | $32,435 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $37,890 | $32,625 | $31,647 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $42,490 | $35,079 | $30,889 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $40,970 | $33,484 | $29,747 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: helpers--production workers
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Apprentice workers are classified in the appropriate production occupations (51-0000).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -8.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helpers--production worker make in Chicago, IL?
The median helpers--production worker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41,480 a year, or about $19.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,340 and $45,970.
What is a helpers--production worker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $41,480 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $33,601 a year ($2,800 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,908 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a helpers--production worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $39,070. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,435 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a helpers--production worker 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) — 55% of a median helpers--production worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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