Motion Picture Projectionist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Motion Picture Projectionists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$78,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+106% vs US median
US median $38,270
State Rank
#2 of 12
state estimate

How much does a Motion Picture Projectionist make in Illinois?

A Motion Picture Projectionist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $78,990 per year, or about $37.98 per hour. That is 106% above the national median of $38,270 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $67,990 while the top 10% make $87,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,740 and $85,470 a year.

Motion Picture Projectionist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,990$32.69
25th percentile (early career)$77,740$37.38
50th percentile (median)$78,990$37.98
75th percentile (experienced)$85,470$41.09
90th percentile (top earners)$87,730$42.18

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 2nd out of 12 states and territories for Motion Picture Projectionist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$82,260
2Illinois$78,990
3California$74,840
4Washington$39,070
5Michigan$37,590

Working as a Motion Picture Projectionist in Illinois

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Motion Picture Projectionists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($78,990) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Motion Picture Projectionist make in Illinois?
The median Motion Picture Projectionist salary in Illinois is $78,990 per year, or about $37.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,990 at the entry level to $87,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Motion Picture Projectionists about 106% more than the national median of $38,270. Illinois ranks 2nd out of 12 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Motion Picture Projectionists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,990 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Motion Picture Projectionist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.