Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Machinist pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Machinists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $59,520 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $47,770 and $68,260.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $770 above the national median of $58,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4041 Machinists
CNC Machinist is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,680 | $47,770 | $59,520 | $68,260 | $78,990 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.60 | $22.97 | $28.62 | $32.82 | $37.98 |
BLS estimated 11,270 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 1.35.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,200 | $47,570 | $58,750 | $67,700 | $80,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.85 | $22.87 | $28.24 | $32.55 | $38.47 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published CNC Machinist median is $59,520. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 1.09 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.35 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $45,740 | $57,470 | $67,990 |
| May 2025 | $47,770 | $59,520 | $68,260 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4041 Machinists, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $47,930 | $46,060 to $63,210 |
| Niles, MI | $50,430 | $46,060 to $59,520 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro reports a median wage of $59,520 for CNC Machinists, which is an increase from the $57,470 median observed in May 2024. The middle-band width for this occupation is $20,490, calculated from the P25 of $47,770 and the P75 of $68,260. This band illustrates the compensation distribution for machinists within this major industrial hub.
Manufacturing Headhunters observes that this data includes all plant-level activities under the SOC 51-4041 title, meaning it does not distinguish between different machining processes or shift differentials.
In comparison to the national median of $58,750, the Chicago metro area median of $59,520 is slightly higher. Among the nearby comparison metros, Kankakee reports a lower median of $47,930, while Niles displays a median of $50,430. The employment concentration in Chicago, with a location quotient of 1.35, is higher than the national level, confirming the area's significance as a manufacturing center. Note that BLS data excludes fringe benefits and specific incentive payments, which are common in machine shop compensation packages.
National manufacturing industry rows provide sector-specific perspective. National median pay in Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing is $108,490, while Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing is $88,750. These industry-specific benchmarks serve as a reminder that occupational averages combine many different production environments. Candidates are assessed on technical proficiency including GD&T and control-specific programming, which are distinct from the aggregate pay reported for the general occupation.
The median change for the Chicago area is 2,050 compared to a national change of 2,600. The P10 of $38,680 and P90 of $78,990 define the full breadth of current occupational pay within the metro. Because the BLS mapping for this role is direct but broad, these figures should be used as a primary guide rather than as a definitive offer baseline for specialized CNC operators. Recruiting for roles in this region requires balancing these statistical averages against specific technical requirements like multi-axis capabilities or CNC control systems and industrial robot controllers control experience.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the Chicago metro area's CNC Machinist pay higher than the national median?
Yes, the Chicago metro median of $59,520 is higher than the national median of $58,750. This difference reflects the local concentration of machining work.
What does the location quotient of 1.35 signify for the Chicago market?
A location quotient of 1.35 means the concentration of machinists in the Chicago area is 35 percent higher than the national average. This confirms the area is a high-density hub for machining professionals.
Why is there a $20,490 middle-band width?
The middle-band width of $20,490 represents the pay gap between the 25th and 75th percentiles. This metric provides a standard measure of the compensation spread for the majority of the occupational group in this metro.
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