Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Auto Mechanic Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $51,000 ($24.52/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,400/year and the 90th was $94,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $40,779 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,000$24.52 per hour · $4,250 monthly
10th Percentile$35,400$17.02/hr base
25th Percentile$39,700$19.09/hr base
75th Percentile$76,300$36.68/hr base
90th Percentile$94,500$45.43/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$51,000
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,000
Net 80%
Fed 8%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,779After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,398Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,568Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,940 / yr
Illinois state income tax$2,380 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,902 / yr

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wage Percentiles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$17.02/hr$2,950$35,400$29,016
25th Percentile$19.09/hr$3,308$39,700$32,259
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.52/hr$4,250$51,000$40,779
75th Percentile$36.68/hr$6,358$76,300$58,875
90th Percentile$45.43/hr$7,875$94,500$70,778

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$90,887Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.63.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio56.1%of area median income

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Illinois:

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $51,000, which equates to approximately $4,250 per month or $24.52 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $24.52 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.02/hour and one in ten earned more than $45.43/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $35,400 at the 10th percentile to $39,700 at the 25th, $76,300 at the 75th, and $94,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On a median gross salary of $51,000, an estimated $40,779 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,568 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $10,221 (an effective rate of 20%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On the median annual salary of $51,000, gross monthly income is $4,250. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,398 per month (or $1,568 every two weeks).

Is $51,000 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

At $51,000, the median salary for auto mechanics is 56.1% of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median household income ($90,887). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.6, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.