Salary guide, May 2025
Materials Manager 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 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $124,120 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $94,920 and $160,490.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $16,890 above the national median of $107,230, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-3071 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
What should you know about chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $73,540 | $94,920 | $124,120 | $160,490 | $210,910 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.36 | $45.63 | $59.68 | $77.16 | $101.40 |
BLS estimated 8,570 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 1.34.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $65,120 | $82,440 | $107,230 | $146,770 | $194,900 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31.31 | $39.64 | $51.55 | $70.56 | $93.70 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Materials Manager median is $124,120. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 2.27 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.34 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 | $82,570 | $108,180 | $144,990 |
| May 2025 | $94,920 | $124,120 | $160,490 |
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 11-3071 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, 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 11-3071 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, 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 | $107,910 | $77,120 to $130,270 |
| Niles, MI | $106,630 | $72,460 to $169,660 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
Manufacturing Headhunters reviews the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (SOC 11-3071), which covers Materials Managers. The local median of $124,120 shows a notable median change of $15,940 from the prior May 2024 figure of $108,180. The middle-band width is $65,570, based on a P25 of $94,920 and a P75 of $160,490.
Chicago’s median of $124,120 sits above the national median of $107,230. 34, the density of this occupation in Chicago is significantly higher than the national average, reflecting the region's strong logistics and distribution foundation.
National benchmarks for specialized manufacturing sectors provide essential reference points. The national median for Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (NAICS 333600) is $160,620. Semiconductor manufacturing (NAICS 334400) is $148,380, while Motor Vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 336100) is $147,200. These industry figures are national and do not reflect local metropolitan wage data. Hiring managers must remember that BLS base salary reporting ignores common supply chain incentives, such as inventory-accuracy performance bonuses, that are prevalent in competitive Chicago markets. Compensation planning should account for these missing components to stay competitive.
Regional comparisons show that Kankakee, IL reports a median of $107,910 and a middle-band width of $53,150, while Niles, MI reports a median of $106,630 and a middle-band width of $97,200. Chicago’s median is higher than these secondary regional metros. The broad SOC 11-3071 classification includes all logistical and distribution roles, which requires hiring managers to focus on specific candidate competencies during the interview process. Successful applicants typically possess deep MRP system experience and proven cycle counting success. Many hiring managers prioritize the ASCM CPIM certification to ensure that candidates possess the technical depth needed for site-specific inventory accuracy.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why did the Chicago median increase by $15,940 in the most recent BLS cycle?
This increase reflects a positive adjustment in the reported occupational wages for the broad SOC 11-3071 category in Chicago between the May 2024 and May 2025 releases.
Does the median of $124,120 represent all Materials Managers in Chicago?
The median represents the central wage point for all professionals categorized under the broad SOC 11-3071 occupational group in the metro area.
How does the national industry median for Engine manufacturing impact a local Chicago offer?
It serves as a broad national comparison only. It is not a local wage data point and should not be used as a standard for local job offers.
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