Warehouse Worker salary in Chicago, IL
Median pay, Chicago metro
$40,550/year
about $19.50 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $35,920 – $47,640
Half of warehouse workers in the Chicago metro area earn more than $40,550 a year and half earn less. That's 1% higher than the national median of $40,240, and ranks #18 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $31,860 | $15.32 |
| 25th | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Median (50th) | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| 75th | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| 90th (top earners) | $56,440 | $27.13 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a warehouse worker job in the Chicago metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $35,920 ($17.27/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $35,920 to $47,640 ($17.27 to $22.90/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $47,640 ($22.90/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask about shift differentials for nights and weekends, and peak-season overtime.
- Check whether the pay is from a staffing agency. Agency rates can be lower than direct hire for the same work.
- Ask about productivity quotas and how they're enforced.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Chicago metro. Occupation: Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (SOC 53-7062). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.