Salary guide, May 2025
CNC Setup 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.
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The median annual wage for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $48,660 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $42,850 and $61,460.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $2,030 below the national median of $50,690, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
The CNC Setup Machinist title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
What should you know about chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,990 | $42,850 | $48,660 | $61,460 | $73,840 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.75 | $20.60 | $23.39 | $29.55 | $35.50 |
BLS estimated 5,480 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 1.11.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,140 | $44,930 | $50,690 | $61,760 | $73,890 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.34 | $21.60 | $24.37 | $29.69 | $35.53 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published CNC Setup Machinist median is $48,660. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 0.89 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.11 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 | $39,580 | $48,470 | $60,260 |
| May 2025 | $42,850 | $48,660 | $61,460 |
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 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, 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 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, 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 | $49,860 | $43,160 to $59,650 |
| Niles, MI | $43,680 | $36,230 to $55,560 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the CNC Setup Machinist role is tracked under the SOC 51-9161 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators occupation. For CNC Setup Machinist in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $48,660; the May 2024 median is $48,470. Their arithmetic difference is $190.
They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The middle-band width is $18,610, determined by a P25 of $42,850 and a P75 of $61,460. Manufacturing Headhunters points out that these statistics represent a broad occupational category and do not isolate the specific technical setup duties performed in individual plants.
The metro median of $48,660 is lower than the national median of $50,690. Comparison metros show mixed pay levels: Kankakee reports a median of $49,860, while Niles reports $43,680. The Chicago metro location quotient of 1.11 shows an employment concentration higher than the national average. For CNC Setup Machinist in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
National manufacturing industry rows offer further insight into related wage tiers. Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing reports a national median of $66,970, while Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing and Chemical Manufacturing report $63,750 and $63,170 respectively. These benchmarks highlight the variance in pay across specialized industries. Candidates for the CNC setup role are screened for their ability to manage offsets, approve first pieces, and edit G-code on client-specified platforms.
For CNC Setup Machinist in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $48,660; the May 2024 median is $48,470. Their arithmetic difference is $190. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The P10 of $38,990 and P90 of $73,840 define the current earnings range in the metro. Because the occupation mapping is broader than the specific title, these figures should be used as a reference point rather than a rigid target. Recruiters should adjust these bounds for individual setup expertise and control-platform proficiency when structuring compensation.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does the Chicago metro CNC setup machinist median compare to the national figure?
The Chicago metro median of $48,660 is lower than the national median of $50,690 for this occupation. This regional pay profile reflects the current local market.
What is the P25 to P75 pay range for this occupation in the Chicago metro area?
The middle-band width is $18,610, which represents the variance between the 25th percentile of $42,850 and the 75th percentile of $61,460.
What setup tasks are required for candidates in this market?
Candidates are screened for their ability to manage offsets, complete first-piece approvals, and edit G-code at the control. These tasks are essential for successful matching in CNC setup roles.
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