SOC 39-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Motion Picture Projectionists — Illinois
Illinois · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Motion Picture Projectionists in Illinois is $78,990 per year, well above the national median of $38,270.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Motion Picture Projectionists in Illinois is $78,990 per year, well above the national median of $38,270. The gap of 106.4% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $77,740 and $85,470. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $67,990 and the ninetieth at $87,730.
Illinois ranks number 2nd out of 12 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $85,460. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 246th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,990 | +77.7% |
| 25th | $77,740 | +103.1% |
| Median (50th) | $78,990 | +106.4% |
| 75th | $85,470 | +123.3% |
| 90th | $87,730 | +129.2% |
| Mean | $78,680 | +105.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $85,460 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $78,990 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$78,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,990US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,990 a year, 106.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $67,990 to $87,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 2nd of 12 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $85,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Motion Picture Projectionists in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $78,990, or $37.98 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 $38,270, so pay in Illinois is 106.4% 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 Illinois earns more than $87,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $67,990 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.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $85,460 per year.
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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