How much does a motor vehicle operator make in Chicago?
$59,330a year
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $28.52 an hour or $4,944 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.52
- Vs. national median
- +60%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 168
- Jobs in the area
- 590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,850Median: $59,330Highest 10%: $87,990
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,850 | $16.27 | |
| 25th | $38,130 | $18.33 | |
| Median | $59,330 | $28.52 | |
| 75th | $77,740 | $37.38 | |
| 90th | $87,990 | $42.30 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators.
| St. Louis, MO | $32,330 |
| Peoria, IL | $31,200 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motor vehicle operator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $28.52 ($59,330 a year).
Do motor vehicle operators make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $59,330 against $37,180 nationally, 60% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $44,810, so Chicago pays 32% more.
Where does Chicago rank for motor vehicle operator pay?
12 of 168 metro areas with data.
How much does a motor vehicle operator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $87,990 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.