Salary guide, May 2025
Plant 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 Industrial Production Managers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $129,840 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $103,990 and $165,090.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $3,780 above the national median of $126,060, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-3051 Industrial Production 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $86,490 | $103,990 | $129,840 | $165,090 | $216,720 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $41.58 | $50.00 | $62.43 | $79.37 | $104.19 |
BLS estimated 8,850 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 1.24.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $78,000 | $98,160 | $126,060 | $161,880 | $205,520 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37.50 | $47.19 | $60.61 | $77.83 | $98.81 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Plant Manager median is $129,840. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 2.37 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.24 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 | $100,760 | $123,120 | $155,250 |
| May 2025 | $103,990 | $129,840 | $165,090 |
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 11-3051 Industrial Production 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 11-3051 Industrial Production 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 | $124,070 | $100,700 to $146,590 |
| Niles, MI | $109,470 | $85,120 to $136,320 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area, Plant Managers (SOC 11-3051) earn a median salary of 129,840. For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
The middle band width for this occupation is 61,100. Nationally, the median is 126,060, placing the Chicago market slightly above the national norm. 24, showing a high concentration of production management roles relative to the national average. Manufacturing Headhunters reports that screening in this market focuses heavily on KPIs such as safety (TRIR/DART) and yield history.
Local metro area comparisons confirm the sound wage environment. Kankakee, IL, shows a median of 124,070, while Niles, MI, is lower at 109,470. These figures demonstrate that the Chicago metro is a central hub for industrial leadership compensation in the Midwest. National industry data, such as Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing at 155,730, serves as a point of comparison for specialized facility managers, though this is a national figure only. The range in the 61,100 band stems from the diverse manufacturing needs found across the metro area.
For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. This confirms a competitive hiring environment for experienced leaders in Illinois. Chicago employers prioritize ERP mastery. specifically in systems like enterprise planning or enterprise resource planning. and a proven track record in labor relations. Performance indicators such as headcount and budget control are non-negotiable standards for these leadership roles. As industry demands evolve, these compensation figures show a steady upward trajectory.
For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The ability to manage large workforces and maintain safety compliance is paramount. Because BLS data aggregates all production managers, candidates must differentiate their own scope and technical experience during the hiring process to ensure their salary expectations are met within the 129,840 median. The role in Chicago is high-pressure, requiring consistent, data-driven operational performance.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Chicago's median of 129,840 exceeds the national median of 126,060. For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
How does Chicago's plant manager market compare to the national level?
Chicago's median of 129,840 exceeds the national median of 126,060. For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
What criteria are used to screen candidates in Chicago?
For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. Expertise in ERP systems like enterprise planning or manufacturing ERP is also a critical requirement.
Why is the location quotient high for Chicago?
At 1.24, the location quotient reflects a significant regional concentration of Industrial Production Managers. For Plant Manager in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $129,840; the May 2024 median is $123,120. Their arithmetic difference is $6,720. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
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