Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Illinois
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Illinois earn a median of $49,740 a year ($23.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,380 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $46,570. Illinois ranks 9th of 47 states for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders pay. There are 0.29 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| 25th percentile | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Median | $49,740 | $23.92 |
| 75th percentile | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Average (mean) | $52,770 | $25.37 |
Half of cutting and slicing machine setters, 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 | $4,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,072.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,913.08 |
| Weekly | $956.54 |
| Hourly | $23.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,020 | 490 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,730 | 1,230 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,560 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,900 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $58,260 |
| Vermont | $52,220 |
| Colorado | $51,750 |
| Montana | $51,540 |
| Oregon | $51,180 |
| Missouri | $50,930 |
| Washington | $50,430 |
| New Hampshire | $50,290 |
| Illinois | $49,740 |
| New York | $49,680 |
See Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,400 | $27.11 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $36,840 | $17.71 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9032. 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 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Illinois?
The median salary for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Illinois is $49,740 a year, or $23.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Illinois?
The top 10% of cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Illinois earn at least $62,380 a year. The top 25% earn $58,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,780 a year, and a quarter of cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $47,490 or less.
How many cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Illinois?
About 1,770 cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.