Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$37,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $40,610
State Rank
#15 of 29
state estimate

How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make in Illinois?

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Illinois take home a median of $37,940 annually — roughly $18.24 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $40,610.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $74,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $46,780 a year.

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$31,200$15.00
50th percentile (median)$37,940$18.24
75th percentile (experienced)$46,780$22.49
90th percentile (top earners)$74,800$35.96

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 15th out of 29 states and territories for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$57,760
2Virginia$47,380
3California$47,320
4Florida$46,840
5Wisconsin$46,480

Working as Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Illinois

Nationally, about 5,000 people work as Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($37,940) 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 do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make in Illinois?
The median Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in Illinois is $37,940 per year, or about $18.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $74,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators about 7% less than the national median of $40,610. Illinois ranks 15th out of 29 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,940 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators 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.