Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median pay for a model makers, metal and plastic in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $68,890/year ($33.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $66,503 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month, about 39.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $69K 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 model makers, metal and plastics
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What this looks like in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Model makers, metal and plastic pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin tracks closely to the national median, $69K locally vs. $63K nationwide, a 9% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,781/month, which is 40% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 103.59) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level model makers, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K. Top earners bring in $69K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $93K | +47% | 260 |
| Florida | $80K | +26% | 50 |
| New York | $78K | +23% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $72K | +14% | 70 |
| Illinois | $69K | +9% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $68K | +7% | 100 |
| Texas | $66K | +4% | 230 |
| Indiana | $63K | -1% | 50 |
| Iowa | $62K | -3% | 40 |
| Ohio | $61K | -4% | 60 |
| Michigan | $61K | -4% | 710 |
| Rhode Island | $56K | -12% | 40 |
| Utah | $54K | -15% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -16% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $46K | -28% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 15 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track model makers, metal and plastic 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 model makers, metal and plastic afford a 2BR apartment alone in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $69K, rent takes 40% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,781/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for model makers, metal and plastics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new model makers, metal and plastics typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,734/month. At HUD’s $1,781/month FMR, rent would take 65% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is model makers, metal and plastic a high-paying job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $69K locally vs. $63K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare to the national average for model makers, metal and plastics?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pays $69K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.59), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do model makers, metal and plastics make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $68,890 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,560, and experienced model makers, metal and plastics can clear $68,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,453/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 40% 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 model makers, metal and plastic 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 model makers, metal and plastic salary is worth about $66,503 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do model makers, metal and plastics 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.