SOC 51-4061 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic — Chicago
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Median pay for this occupation in Chicago, IL comes to $68,890 a year, ahead of the national median of $63,340 by 8.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Chicago, IL comes to $68,890 a year, ahead of the national median of $63,340 by 8.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $45,560 and $68,890. The lowest tenth earn under $45,560, while the highest tenth earn more than $68,900.
Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 326th of 716 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,560 | −28.1% |
| 25th | $45,560 | −28.1% |
| Median (50th) | $68,890 | +8.8% |
| 75th | $68,890 | +8.8% |
| 90th | $68,900 | +8.8% |
| Mean | $60,650 | −4.2% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chicago sit close to the national average, so $68,890 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$68,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,890US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $68,890 a year, 8.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,560 to $68,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in Chicago, IL?
The median annual wage is $68,890, or $33.12 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,340, so pay in Chicago, IL is 8.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chicago, IL earns more than $68,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,560 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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