Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in Illinois
Conveyor Operators and Tenders in Illinois earn a median of $44,290 a year ($21.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,310 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $42,420. Illinois ranks 14th of 44 states for conveyor operators and tenders pay. There are 0.08 conveyor operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $46,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for conveyor operators and tenders in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| 25th percentile | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Median | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| 75th percentile | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Average (mean) | $46,060 | $22.14 |
Half of conveyor operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,690.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,845.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,703.46 |
| Weekly | $851.73 |
| Hourly | $21.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,140 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $45,570 | 220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,210 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for conveyor operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $62,830 |
| Iowa | $56,900 |
| Maryland | $56,120 |
| Alabama | $55,970 |
| Louisiana | $54,590 |
| Wyoming | $52,480 |
| New Jersey | $50,750 |
| Utah | $48,620 |
| North Dakota | $47,770 |
| Indiana | $46,300 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conveyor operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The median salary for conveyor operators and tenders in Illinois is $44,290 a year, or $21.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid conveyor operators and tenders make in Illinois?
The top 10% of conveyor operators and tenders in Illinois earn at least $59,310 a year. The top 25% earn $49,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for conveyor operators and tenders in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,530 a year, and a quarter of conveyor operators and tenders earn $40,190 or less.
How many conveyor operators and tenders work in Illinois?
About 480 conveyor operators and tenders are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.