How much does a transportation worker make in Chicago?
$36,370a year
Median yearly pay for transportation workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $17.49 an hour or $3,031 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.49
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 38 of 45
- Jobs in the area
- 350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,440Median: $36,370Highest 10%: $75,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,440 | $16.08 | |
| 25th | $33,640 | $16.17 | |
| Median | $36,370 | $17.49 | |
| 75th | $66,940 | $32.18 | |
| 90th | $75,680 | $36.38 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for transportation workers.
| St. Louis, MO | $37,650 |
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 transportation worker make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $17.49 ($36,370 a year).
Do transportation workers make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $36,370 against $45,650 nationally, 20% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $35,900, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for transportation worker pay?
38 of 45 metro areas with data.
How much does a transportation worker make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $75,680 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.