Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a photographic process workers and processing machine operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $29,120/year ($14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $28,111 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 86.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $29K 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level photographic process workers and processing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $72K | +80% | 340 |
| Washington | $52K | +29% | 70 |
| Michigan | $52K | +29% | 720 |
| Maryland | $51K | +27% | 120 |
| Ohio | $50K | +25% | 30 |
| California | $46K | +14% | 940 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | +12% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $41K | +3% | 90 |
| Utah | $40K | +0% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $39K | -3% | 60 |
| Oregon | $39K | -4% | 60 |
| Texas | $38K | -5% | 190 |
| Missouri | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Virginia | $36K | -9% | 130 |
| Indiana | $36K | -10% | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | -10% | 350 |
| New Mexico | $36K | -10% | 50 |
| Florida | $36K | -10% | 170 |
| Arizona | $36K | -11% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $34K | -16% | 460 |
| Iowa | $32K | -20% | 90 |
| Tennessee | $31K | -22% | 100 |
| Georgia | $30K | -26% | 100 |
| Kansas | $29K | -27% | 30 |
| Illinois | $29K | -27% | N/A |
| Alabama | $29K | -28% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $29K | -28% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 28 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track photographic process workers and processing machine 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $29,120 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced photographic process workers and processing machine operators can clear $57,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,000/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 89.1% 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 photographic process workers and processing machine 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 photographic process workers and processing machine operators salary is worth about $28,111 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do photographic process workers and processing machine 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.