Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,560 a year or less, while the top 10% make $68,900 or more. The middle half of model makers, metal and plastic in Chicago earn between $45,560 and $68,890.
- $46K10th
- $46K25th
- $69KMedian
- $69K75th
- $69K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $60,650 | $5,054 | $29.16 |
| Median | $68,890 | $5,741 | $33.12 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,560 | $3,797 | $21.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $68,890 | $5,741 | $33.12 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Model makers, metal and plastic in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($60,260) and 12% less than the U.S. average ($68,570). At the median the gap is +9% against the U.S. median of $63,340.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $60,650 | $68,890 | $45,560 | $68,900 | n/a |
| Illinois | $60,260 | $68,890 | $42,960 | $68,900 | n/a |
| United States | $68,570 | $63,340 | $39,760 | $99,010 | 2,610 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $60,650, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $48,051 a year, or $4,004 a month and $1,848 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $49,123 | $4,094 |
| Working in IL | $48,051 | $4,004 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for model makers, metal and plastic? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $60,650 buys what about $58,545 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 5.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in nearby metro areas
- Grand Rapids, MI$49,390
- Detroit, MI$74,150
- Rochester, NY$71,870
- Raleigh, NC$48,830
- New York, NY$79,910
- Dallas, TX$84,380
Highest-paying cities for model makers, metal and plastic
Los Angeles, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($98,390).
- Los Angeles, CA$98,390
- San Francisco, CA$91,910
- Dallas, TX$84,380
- New York, NY$79,910
- Boston, MA$78,990
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Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in Chicago: questions
How much do model makers, metal and plastic make an hour in Chicago?
$29.16 an hour on average, and $33.12 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level model makers, metal and plastic salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,560 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,560, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the model makers, metal and plastic take-home pay in Chicago?
About $48,051 a year ($4,004 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $60,650.
Do model makers, metal and plastic earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% less than the U.S. average for this job ($68,570).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-4061; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
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