Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, earth drillers, except oil and gas earn $80,030 at the median — $38.47 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $77,256 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 35.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About earth drillers, except oil and gas
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level earth drillers, except oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $105K or more - a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $81K | +36% | 160 |
| Illinois | $80K | +34% | 410 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +31% | 390 |
| Alaska | $76K | +28% | 170 |
| Washington | $75K | +25% | 280 |
| New York | $74K | +24% | 580 |
| Nevada | $70K | +18% | 670 |
| Delaware | $68K | +14% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $67K | +12% | 210 |
| Minnesota | $66K | +11% | 280 |
| Vermont | $65K | +9% | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $65K | +9% | 70 |
| Oregon | $64K | +8% | 350 |
| Montana | $63K | +6% | 200 |
| Wyoming | $63K | +5% | 70 |
Track earth drillers, except oil and gas 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 earth drillers, except oil and gas make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $80,030 a year - that works out to about $38.47 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,740, and experienced earth drillers, except oil and gas can clear $105,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,061/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.2% 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 earth drillers, except oil and gas 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 earth drillers, except oil and gas salary is worth about $77,256 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do earth drillers, except oil and gas 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.