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.
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 #54 of 69 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati, OH | $46,410 | $38,977 | $40,869 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $48,690 | $40,036 | $38,966 |
| 3 | Springfield, MO | $41,040 | $34,164 | $38,566 |
| 4 | Knoxville, TN | $41,330 | $35,389 | $38,229 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $42,210 | $35,049 | $37,873 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $41,730 | $35,345 | $37,632 |
| 7 | Greensboro, NC | $42,240 | $34,943 | $37,628 |
| 8 | Morristown, TN | $37,700 | $32,472 | $37,599 |
| 54 | Chicago, IL | $41,480 | $33,601 | $32,435 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 69 metros →
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 #54 of 69 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%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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