Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Illinois

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Illinois earn the most in Chicago (average $54,540 a year) and the least in Rockford ($52,640), across the 2 Illinois metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders average at $54,030 and the median at $56,400 for 5,360 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $52,840.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders average salary by city in Illinois

Chicago$54,540
Rockford$52,640

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Chicago	$54,540	$59,020	$47,380	$43,444	104
Rockford	$52,640	$56,800	$44,510	$42,012	92

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other states

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by city and state

More about pay in Illinois

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9196.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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