Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender Salary in Chicago, IL
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $43,290 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,965 take-home, or $2,914 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median packaging and filling machine operator and tender salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,015
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,684
- Medicare (1.45%)$628
- Illinois income tax$1,998
- Take-home pay$34,965
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 →
Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 | $29,099 | $2,425 |
| 25th percentile | $38,530 | $18.52 | $31,376 | $2,615 |
| Median (50th) | $43,290 | $20.81 | $34,965 | $2,914 |
| 75th percentile | $47,910 | $23.03 | $38,449 | $3,204 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,820 | $29.24 | $48,183 | $4,015 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,290 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 packaging and filling machine operator and tender's $34,965 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,752 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 2.0× the national concentration of packaging and filling machine operator and tender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #16 of 28 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville, KY | $48,590 | $39,639 | $42,589 |
| 2 | Kansas City, MO | $47,530 | $39,074 | $42,222 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $47,460 | $39,021 | $41,037 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $45,570 | $38,325 | $40,185 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $45,600 | $38,348 | $40,168 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $45,290 | $37,264 | $38,940 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $44,330 | $36,539 | $37,535 |
| 8 | Grand Rapids, MI | $41,890 | $34,309 | $35,908 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $43,290 | $34,965 | $33,752 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 28 metros →
About the job: packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment.
- 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
- +4.1% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a packaging and filling machine operator and tender make in Chicago, IL?
The median packaging and filling machine operator and tender salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $43,290 a year, or about $20.81 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,530 and $47,910.
What is a packaging and filling machine operator and tender’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $43,290 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $34,965 a year ($2,914 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,998 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a packaging and filling machine operator and tender?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $43,220. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,752 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #16 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a packaging and filling machine operator and tender 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) — 53% of a median packaging and filling machine operator and tender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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