Millwright Salary in Chicago, IL
Millwrights in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $74,730 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,848 take-home, or $4,821 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median millwright salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,611
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,633
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,084
- Illinois income tax$3,554
- Take-home pay$57,848
Marginal rate: 22% 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.
Millwright pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,230 | $23.19 | $38,690 | $3,224 |
| 25th percentile | $53,800 | $25.87 | $42,890 | $3,574 |
| Median (50th) | $74,730 | $35.93 | $57,848 | $4,821 |
| 75th percentile | $93,610 | $45.00 | $70,196 | $5,850 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,590 | $55.09 | $83,917 | $6,993 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,730 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 millwright's $57,848 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,841 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× the national concentration of millwright jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for millwrights, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City, MO | $91,380 | $69,758 | $75,379 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $91,850 | $69,794 | $69,586 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $76,300 | $59,954 | $64,416 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $99,250 | $72,361 | $63,718 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $93,070 | $69,854 | $62,058 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $77,120 | $60,716 | $59,204 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $67,750 | $56,492 | $57,277 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $74,730 | $57,848 | $55,841 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a millwright make in Chicago, IL?
The median millwright salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $74,730 a year, or about $35.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,800 and $93,610.
What is a millwright’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $74,730 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $57,848 a year ($4,821 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,554 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a millwright?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $65,700. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,841 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a millwright 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) — 32% of a median millwright’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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