Sewers, Hand Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a sewers, hand in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $33,980/year ($16.34/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $49K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $32,802 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 76.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $34K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About sewers, hands
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level sewers, hands (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K.Top earners bring in $49K or more - a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Sewers, Hand pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $39K | +17% | 80 |
| Indiana | $39K | +15% | N/A |
| New York | $36K | +7% | 220 |
| Florida | $36K | +7% | 190 |
| California | $36K | +5% | 150 |
| Illinois | $34K | +1% | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $33K | -1% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $33K | -1% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $33K | -3% | 220 |
| Maryland | $33K | -4% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $31K | -9% | N/A |
| Maine | $30K | -11% | 50 |
| Missouri | $30K | -12% | 60 |
| Ohio | $28K | -16% | 30 |
| Alabama | $28K | -16% | N/A |
Track sewers, hand 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 sewers, hands make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $33,980 a year - that works out to about $16.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,670, and experienced sewers, hands can clear $48,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,305/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 77.3% 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 sewers, hand 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 sewers, hand salary is worth about $32,802 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sewers, hands 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.