Engine and Other Machine Assembler Salary in Chicago, IL
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $49,630 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,746 take-home, or $3,312 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median engine and other machine assembler salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,776
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,077
- Medicare (1.45%)$720
- Illinois income tax$2,312
- Take-home pay$39,746
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.
Engine and Other Machine Assembler pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,480 | $18.98 | $32,093 | $2,674 |
| 25th percentile | $40,950 | $19.69 | $33,201 | $2,767 |
| Median (50th) | $49,630 | $23.86 | $39,746 | $3,312 |
| 75th percentile | $49,630 | $23.86 | $39,746 | $3,312 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,830 | $29.73 | $48,945 | $4,079 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,630 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 engine and other machine assembler's $39,746 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,367 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Engine and Other Machine Assembler jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.55), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for engine and other machine assemblers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $64,820 | $51,759 | $51,605 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids, MI | $53,570 | $43,198 | $45,211 |
| 3 | Greenville, SC | $46,950 | $38,244 | $41,008 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $49,630 | $39,746 | $38,367 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,620 | $38,179 | $33,618 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a engine and other machine assembler make in Chicago, IL?
The median engine and other machine assembler salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $49,630 a year, or about $23.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,950 and $49,630.
What is a engine and other machine assembler’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $49,630 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $39,746 a year ($3,312 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,312 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a engine and other machine assembler?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $53,710. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,367 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #4 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a engine and other machine assembler 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) — 46% of a median engine and other machine assembler’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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