Printing Press Operator Salary in Chicago, IL
Printing Press Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $46,580 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,446 take-home, or $3,121 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median printing press operator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,410
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,888
- Medicare (1.45%)$675
- Illinois income tax$2,161
- Take-home pay$37,446
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.
Printing Press Operator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,870 | $15.32 | $26,355 | $2,196 |
| 25th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 | $30,034 | $2,503 |
| Median (50th) | $46,580 | $22.39 | $37,446 | $3,121 |
| 75th percentile | $60,120 | $28.90 | $47,655 | $3,971 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,000 | $36.06 | $58,025 | $4,835 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,580 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 printing press operator's $37,446 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,147 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 1.9× the national concentration of printing press operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for printing press operators, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #48 of 66 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh, WI | $58,750 | $47,582 | $51,202 |
| 2 | Fayetteville, AR | $49,840 | $40,495 | $44,328 |
| 3 | Cincinnati, OH | $48,890 | $40,901 | $42,887 |
| 4 | Louisville, KY | $48,110 | $39,270 | $42,192 |
| 5 | Green Bay, WI | $47,330 | $38,908 | $41,798 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $45,760 | $38,472 | $41,504 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $47,340 | $38,764 | $41,434 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $46,560 | $38,340 | $41,429 |
| 48 | Chicago, IL | $46,580 | $37,446 | $36,147 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 66 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a printing press operator make in Chicago, IL?
The median printing press operator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $46,580 a year, or about $22.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,750 and $60,120.
What is a printing press operator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $46,580 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $37,446 a year ($3,121 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,161 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a printing press operator?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $45,780. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,147 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #48 of 66 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a printing press operator 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) — 49% of a median printing press operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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