Helpers--Production Workers salary in Illinois
Helpers--Production Workers in Illinois earn a median of $41,480 a year ($19.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $39,070. Illinois ranks 23rd of 49 states for Helpers--Production workers pay. There are 0.85 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $44,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 25th percentile | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Median | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| 75th percentile | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Average (mean) | $44,570 | $21.43 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers 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 | $3,456.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,728.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,595.38 |
| Weekly | $797.69 |
| Hourly | $19.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $47,250 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Decatur, IL | $44,960 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $43,980 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $41,480 | 3,710 |
| Rockford, IL | $41,240 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,190 | 2,290 |
| Springfield, IL | $38,340 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,270 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
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 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,740 | $23.92 |
| 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 51-9198. 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 Helpers--Production workers make in Illinois?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in Illinois is $41,480 a year, or $19.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in Illinois earn at least $59,590 a year. The top 25% earn $47,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,550 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $38,850 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Illinois?
About 5,210 Helpers--Production workers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.