Motion Picture Projectionists pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,670 a year or less, while the top 10% make $87,730 or more. The middle half of motion picture projectionists in Chicago earn between $78,990 and $85,480.
- $60K10th
- $79K25th
- $85KMedian
- $85K75th
- $88K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $80,090 | $6,674 | $38.50 |
| Median | $85,460 | $7,122 | $41.09 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $78,990 | $6,582 | $37.98 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $85,480 | $7,123 | $41.10 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Motion Picture Projectionists pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Motion picture projectionists in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($78,680) and 56% more than the U.S. average ($51,480). At the median the gap is +123% against the U.S. median of $38,270.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $80,090 | $85,460 | $59,670 | $87,730 | n/a |
| Illinois | $78,680 | $78,990 | $67,990 | $87,730 | n/a |
| United States | $51,480 | $38,270 | $23,390 | $88,310 | 1,480 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Motion Picture Projectionists salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $80,090, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $61,350 a year, or $5,112 a month and $2,360 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% 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 | $62,801 | $5,233 |
| Working in IL | $61,350 | $5,112 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for motion picture projectionists? 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 $80,090 buys what about $77,311 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 4.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Motion Picture Projectionists salary in nearby metro areas
- New York, NY$83,770
- Los Angeles, CA$95,820
Highest-paying cities for motion picture projectionists
Los Angeles, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($95,820).
- Los Angeles, CA$95,820
- New York, NY$83,770
- Chicago, IL$80,090
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Motion Picture Projectionists salary in Chicago: questions
How much do motion picture projectionists make an hour in Chicago?
$38.51 an hour on average, and $41.09 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level motion picture projectionists salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $59,670 a year and the 25th percentile is $78,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the motion picture projectionists take-home pay in Chicago?
About $61,350 a year ($5,112 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $80,090.
Do motion picture projectionists earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 56% more than the U.S. average for this job ($51,480).
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 39-3021; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 17.0%.
- 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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