Crematory Operators Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Crematory Operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $43,390 a year, or about $20.86 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $41,886 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 60.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $43K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About crematory operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level crematory operators (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K.Top earners bring in $58K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Crematory Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $69K | +61% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $59K | +38% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $52K | +22% | 50 |
| New York | $50K | +18% | 30 |
| California | $50K | +16% | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $48K | +13% | 410 |
| Washington | $47K | +11% | 80 |
| Nevada | $45K | +6% | 70 |
| Michigan | $45K | +4% | 100 |
| Virginia | $43K | +1% | N/A |
| Ohio | $43K | -1% | 190 |
| Oregon | $42K | -3% | 110 |
| Illinois | $42K | -3% | 100 |
| West Virginia | $40K | -7% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $40K | -8% | 100 |
Track crematory operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do crematory operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $43,390 a year - that works out to about $20.86 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,770, and experienced crematory operators can clear $57,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,896/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 61.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a crematory operators salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median crematory operators salary is worth about $41,886 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do crematory operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.