What is the highest paying job at Star Forge?

Based on our latest data, the highest paying role at Star Forge is Director of Finance and Accounting, earning approximately $92 hourly.

Where is Star Forge located?

Star Forge is headquartered in FREEPORT, IL, but may have operations in other locations within the MFG Durable sector.

What industry is Star Forge in?

Star Forge operates in the MFG Durable industry.

Star Forge Hourly Pay Rate & Wages

Q: What does Star Forge do?

According to the company's overview, Star specializes in contract manufacturing processes, for the production of steel parts and components, requiring cold or hot-forming, forging, heat-treating, threading or welding.

Star Forge Salary

Yearly Salary Hourly Rate Monthly Salary Weekly Salary

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Salary at Star Forge

How Much Does Star Forge Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Star Forge. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Director of Finance and Accounting, with an hourly wage of $92. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Sales Manager

$78 / hour

Salary Range: $68 - $90

Sales

Technical Performance Specialist - Tooling Tryout

$53 / hour

Salary Range: $49 - $57

Engineering

Tooling Tryout Technician

$45 / hour

Salary Range: $42 - $49

Engineering

Technical Support Representative

$24 / hour

Salary Range: $21 - $27

Technical Support

Director of Finance and Accounting

$92 / hour

Salary Range: $82 - $105

Management

Business Systems Analyst

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $38 - $46

Information Technology

Material Handler

$19 / hour

Salary Range: $17 - $21

Materials Handling

Digital Marketing & Content Specialist

$55 / hour

Salary Range: $49 - $62

Digital Marketing

Warehouse Lead

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $36 - $46

Warehouse

PROCESS TECHNICIAN

$38 / hour

Salary Range: $36 - $41

Engineering

PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN LEAD

$52 / hour

Salary Range: $45 - $58

Employee Relations

Warehouse Associate

$18 / hour

Salary Range: $17 - $20

Warehouse

INSPECTOR PACKER

$25 / hour

Salary Range: $23 - $29

Quality Assurance

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

$22 / hour

Salary Range: $20 - $25

Facilities Operations

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

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About Star Forge: Company Profile

Website

www.starmfg.com

Founded In

1873

Employees

100 - 200 employees

Industry

MFG Durable

Headquarter Location

FREEPORT

Revenue

$10 Million - $50 Million

Phone Number

About STAR FORGE

Star specializes in contract manufacturing processes, for the production of steel parts and components, requiring cold or hot-forming, forging, heat-treating, threading or welding. Original equipment manufacturers look to Star's manufacturing process capability, capacity and reliability, to meet their production needs for products ranging in size from 2 - 100 lbs, low to high carbon grades, alloy

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Star Forge's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.

The company's commitment to sustainable practices and community involvement adds deeper meaning to our work. Coworkers are fine, and it is somehow especially engaging. Some may find the lack of engagement frustrating. Safety standards are clearly followed, and the facility is clean.

Commented in April 10, 2025

Our esteemed leadership team consistently leads by inspiring example, demonstrating remarkable passion for media, unwavering dedication to our shared mission, and a strong, unshakeable commitment to upholding our company's core creative values and ethical standards. There’s pride in doing high-quality work. Leadership communicates company goals clearly and celebrates team achievements. I’ve develo...

Commented in November 29, 2024

The company meets the basics but doesn’t go beyond. Opportunities for cross-training help develop diverse skills. However, the environment feels a bit disconnected at times. Compensation is generous, including production bonuses and profit sharing.

Commented in February 15, 2024

How Star Forge's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

The data below provides a snapshot of what comparable firms are paying, offering crucial context for evaluating Star Forge’s pay competitiveness. Click on a company for a deeper dive.

SUFFOLKMACHINERY

Avg. Hourly Rate: $41

SWEENEY ENTERPRISES

Avg. Hourly Rate: $36

SUBERIZER

Avg. Hourly Rate: $42

EARTHWAY PRODUCTS

Avg. Hourly Rate: $36

HAYDENMFG

Avg. Hourly Rate: $40

EFC CONSTRUCTION

Avg. Hourly Rate: $39

S C BARNS

Avg. Hourly Rate: $42

BZ CABINET SALES

Avg. Hourly Rate: $35

CLIFF S WELDING SERVICE

Avg. Hourly Rate: $35

CUSTOMTECHNOLOGY

Avg. Hourly Rate: $38

HEALTHPRO BRANDS

Avg. Hourly Rate: $37

CUSTOM FABRICATING & REPAIR

Avg. Hourly Rate: $35

Is Star Forge’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Star Forge's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.

Competitor / Benchmark	Avg. Salary	Variance	Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
SUFFOLKMACHINERY	$41	+12.3%	Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to SUFFOLKMACHINERY's sector.
SWEENEY ENTERPRISES	$36	-0.5%	Confirms SWEENEY ENTERPRISES is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
SUBERIZER	$42	+14.8%	Data suggests SUBERIZER's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
EARTHWAY PRODUCTS	$36	-2.4%	Suggests EARTHWAY PRODUCTS utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
MFG Durable Industry	$59	+60.8%	Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.

Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Rockford?

Understanding the cost of living near Rockford is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Star Forge.

Rockford's Cost of Living Index is approximately 77.8 (22.2% less expensive than US average; 17.1% less than IL average). Northern IL city, very affordable housing. RMTD bus. When planning your budget based on a salary from Star Forge, consider these typical monthly expenses:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent)	$750 - $1,100+	A significant portion of Star Forge salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic)	$160 - $250	Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation	$45 (RMTD monthly pass)	Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person)	$360 - $530	Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure	$280 - $550+	Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual)	$350 - $640+	Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes)	$1,945 - $3,075+	This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Star Forge

FAQ 1: What is the estimated average total compensation at Star Forge?

Salary.com estimates that the average total compensation package at Star Forge, which can include base salary, potential bonuses, and benefits, is around $36 per hour . Total compensation provides a more holistic view of an employee's earnings.

FAQ 2: How much does Star Forge pay compared to SUFFOLKMACHINERY?

The average annual salary at Star Forge is $75,704, or an hourly wage of $36, in comparison to SUFFOLKMACHINERY which pays $85,033 per year or $41 per hour.

FAQ 3: What's the typical salary progression for an employee moving from an entry-level to a senior role at Star Forge?

Salary progression from an entry-level to a senior role at Star Forge can be significant, often involving several promotions and substantial pay increases. For example, an entry-level Analyst might see their salary potentially double or more as they progress to a Senior Manager or Director position over several years, assuming strong performance and development.

FAQ 4: How can I determine if a salary offer from Star Forge in Rockford is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Star Forge in Rockford is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Star Forge and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Rockford" to understand its purchasing power.

FAQ 5: Are promotions at Star Forge usually accompanied by a significant salary increase?

Yes, promotions at Star Forge are generally accompanied by a salary increase. The amount of the increase typically reflects the greater responsibilities, skills, and scope of the new role. The percentage increase can vary widely depending on the level of promotion and the company's compensation structure.