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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Machine Operator Helper in Illinois is $42,413 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Machine Operator Helper's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Machine Operator Helper Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $45,690 | $3,807 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $42,413 | $3,534 | $816 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $750 | $19 |
Aegis Worldwide - Lake Zurich, IL
Randstad - Vernon Hills, IL
Randstad - Buffalo Grove, IL
Staffmark - Crystal Lake, IL
A Machine Operator Helper's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Machine Operator Helper's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine O... Level Machine Operator Helper | $42,172 |
| Machine O... Level Machine Operator Helper | $46,867 |
| Machine O... Level Machine Operator Helper | $53,178 |
| Machine O... Level Machine Operator Helper | $57,142 |
| Machine O... Level Machine Operator Helper | $83,021 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Machine Operator Helpers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Machine Operator Helper roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Machine Operator Helper positions in MFG Durable or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Machine Operator Helper as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $57,257 | $28.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $55,136 | $27.0 | 30% |
| Media | $53,016 | $25.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $50,895 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $48,775 | $23.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Machine Operator Helper's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $45,690 | $3,807 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $42,413 | $3,534 | $816 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $750 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Machine Operator Helper job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Primary Staffing
Schaumburg, IL
Primary Staffing | Schaumburg, IL
Production Assistants / Machine Helpers. We are currently hiring production assistants / machine helpers to support production operations in a plastic manu... more
7 Days Ago
Staffmark
Crystal Lake, IL
Staffmark | Crystal Lake, IL
Staffmark - - Responsibilities: Assist the Flexo Press Operator with press setup and production activities. Gather and load materials required for producti... more
10 Days Ago
Filtration Group Corporation
East Saint Louis, IL
Filtration Group Corporation | East Saint Louis, IL
Machine Operator. Universal Air Filter is a leader in custom air filtration solutions for protecting mission critical equipment. Serving Telecommunications... more
7 Days Ago
Randstad
Rock Island, IL
Randstad | Rock Island, IL
Salary:$50k - 55k per year none Reference:AB_4962141 Randstad Staffing has partnered with a national corrugated packaging manufacturing business in Rock Is... more
8 Days Ago
Stevens Industries
Teutopolis, IL
Stevens Industries | Teutopolis, IL
Looking for 1st shift and 2nd or 3rd shift Machine Operators. We are growing. Our Machine Operators run equipment such as a saw, drill, or banding machine ... more
9 Days Ago
Conflux Systems Inc
Buffalo Grove, IL
Conflux Systems Inc | Buffalo Grove, IL
Job Title:Production OperatorJob Location:Buffalo Groove, ILDuration:12 MonthsShift:6:00 am to 2:30 pmPay Rate:$18.38/Hr KEY DETAILS We are looking for som... more
9 Days Ago
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