Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a slaughterers and meat packers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $35,630/year ($17.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $52K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $34,395 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 73.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $36K 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.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level slaughterers and meat packers (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $52K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $48K | +21% | 5,140 |
| Arizona | $47K | +19% | N/A |
| Kansas | $47K | +19% | 2,430 |
| Washington | $46K | +17% | 1,000 |
| Montana | $46K | +16% | 130 |
| Missouri | $45K | +12% | 1,630 |
| Oklahoma | $45K | +12% | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $44K | +12% | 4,040 |
| Massachusetts | $44K | +11% | 120 |
| South Dakota | $43K | +8% | 800 |
| Michigan | $42K | +7% | 1,740 |
| North Dakota | $42K | +6% | 150 |
| Minnesota | $42K | +4% | 3,190 |
| Indiana | $41K | +4% | 1,490 |
| Texas | $41K | +4% | 4,430 |
| Kentucky | $41K | +3% | 740 |
| Vermont | $41K | +3% | 70 |
| Illinois | $41K | +3% | 3,730 |
| Utah | $40K | +2% | 780 |
| Oregon | $40K | +2% | 380 |
| Nevada | $40K | +2% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $40K | +0% | 5,750 |
| Idaho | $40K | -0% | 240 |
| Maine | $39K | -2% | 40 |
| Louisiana | $39K | -2% | 580 |
| South Carolina | $39K | -2% | 250 |
| California | $39K | -3% | 6,830 |
| Hawaii | $39K | -3% | 100 |
| Maryland | $38K | -5% | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $38K | -5% | 40 |
| Georgia | $37K | -8% | 4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | -8% | 2,400 |
| Virginia | $36K | -8% | 620 |
| Ohio | $36K | -8% | 1,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $36K | -8% | 3,700 |
| Rhode Island | $36K | -9% | 400 |
| Tennessee | $35K | -11% | 660 |
| New York | $35K | -12% | 660 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -13% | 1,130 |
| Mississippi | $35K | -13% | 2,320 |
| New Jersey | $34K | -14% | 830 |
| Connecticut | $34K | -14% | 90 |
| Alabama | $33K | -17% | 210 |
| Florida | $32K | -18% | 210 |
| Delaware | $29K | -27% | 150 |
| West Virginia | $21K | -47% | 140 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track slaughterers and meat packers salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do slaughterers and meat packers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $35,630 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,780, and experienced slaughterers and meat packers can clear $51,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,409/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 73.9% 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 slaughterers and meat packers 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 slaughterers and meat packers salary is worth about $34,395 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do slaughterers and meat packers 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.