Salary guide, May 2025
Mold Maker 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 Tool and Die Makers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $61,180 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $47,150 and $74,720.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $2,870 below the national median of $64,050, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers
The Mold Maker 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,010 | $47,150 | $61,180 | $74,720 | $83,050 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.24 | $22.67 | $29.41 | $35.92 | $39.93 |
BLS estimated 3,750 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 2.27.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44,680 | $51,490 | $64,050 | $78,770 | $92,680 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $21.48 | $24.75 | $30.79 | $37.87 | $44.56 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Mold Maker median is $61,180. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 1.12 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 2.27 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 | $49,570 | $61,580 | $77,240 |
| May 2025 | $47,150 | $61,180 | $74,720 |
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 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers, 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 51-4111 Tool and Die Makers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Niles, MI | $61,690 | $47,940 to $70,720 |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,550 | $59,120 to $76,600 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area, Mold Makers are accounted for within the Tool and Die Makers occupation, reporting a median annual wage of $61,180. This represents a medianChange of -400 compared to May 2024. The middleBandWidth is 27,570, supported by a P25 of $47,150 and a P75 of $74,720.
Manufacturing Headhunters analyzes these benchmarks to help employers establish competitive base pay for personnel skilled in the maintenance and repair of complex injection mold systems.
The national median for the occupation is $64,050, placing the Chicago median slightly below the U.S. average. The regional locationQuotient of 2.27 indicates an exceptionally high concentration of tool and die work relative to the national baseline, reflecting Chicago’s industrial heritage. Industry-specific benchmarks at the national level, such as Motor Vehicle Manufacturing at $92,670 and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing at $84,840, highlight the potential wage ceiling in those sectors, though these are national figures that do not reflect specific Chicago-area market variations.
Wage performance in nearby metros serves as a useful gauge. The Niles, MI market reports a median of $61,690, while Kenosha, WI reports a median of $62,550, with a notable medianChange of -11,330. As the BLS data excludes variables like production bonuses, shift differentials, and tool allowances, these medians serve primarily as a foundational base salary reference. Hiring managers should calibrate their compensation strategy by assessing a candidate's proficiency in injection mold components such as hot runners and lifters, ensuring that total rewards account for both local cost-of-labor and the specific technical complexity of the mold-making trade.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the Chicago median wage consistent with the national average?
The Chicago median of $61,180 is lower than the U.S. median of $64,050. This confirms that the Chicago market currently pays slightly below the national standard for this trade.
What is the meaning of the 2.27 location quotient?
A location quotient of 2.27 demonstrates that the Chicago area has more than double the national average concentration of Tool and Die Makers. It confirms the region as a significant hub for this occupation.
Does the data capture shop-specific incentives?
No, the BLS figures exclude non-base pay components such as performance incentives, shift differentials, or annual bonuses. These metrics are strictly base salary references.
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