Hoist and Winch Operators Salary
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, hoist and winch operators earn $118,210 at the median, or about $56.83 an hour. The range runs from $118K at the entry level to $118K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $114,113 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 23.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $118K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About hoist and winch operators
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What this looks like in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin sits well above the national pay line for hoist and winch operators, local pay runs about 109% higher than the U.S. median of $56K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,781/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 103.59) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin offers a genuinely strong financial position for hoist and winch operatorss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level hoist and winch operators (10th percentile) start around $118K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $118K or more, a $0 spread from bottom to top.
Hoist and Winch Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Hoist and Winch Operators salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $118K | +109% | 320 |
| Hawaii | $107K | +90% | 120 |
| Maryland | $100K | +77% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $78K | +39% | 60 |
| New York | $75K | +33% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +10% | N/A |
| Oregon | $56K | -1% | 70 |
| Missouri | $48K | -16% | 40 |
| Ohio | $43K | -24% | N/A |
| Michigan | $40K | -29% | 50 |
| Tennessee | $40K | -29% | 40 |
| Indiana | $40K | -30% | 120 |
| Georgia | $38K | -33% | 90 |
| Virginia | $37K | -34% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | -35% | 80 |
| Florida | $34K | -41% | 120 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track hoist and winch 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
Can a hoist and winch operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,781/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hoist and winch operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hoist and winch operators typically earn — is $118K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,093/month. At HUD’s $1,781/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is hoist and winch operator a high-paying job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Local pay is 109% above the national median — $118K here vs. $56K nationally.
How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare to the national average for hoist and winch operators?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $56K — that’s +109%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.59), the purchasing-power equivalent is $114K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hoist and winch operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $118,210 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $118,210, and experienced hoist and winch operators can clear $118,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,141/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 24.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hoist and winch 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 hoist and winch operators salary is worth about $114,113 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hoist and winch 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.