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Air Cargo Handler Salary in Illinois

How much does an Air Cargo Handler make in Illinois? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Cargo Handler in Illinois is $37,405 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, an Air Cargo Handler's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,449
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,993 to $40,045
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,797
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Air Cargo Handler Job Openings in Illinois

Key Factors That Influence Air Cargo Handler Salaries

An Air Cargo Handler's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Cargo Handler Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Cargo Handler's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $36,665
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $36,855
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $37,295
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $37,588
  • Expert (over 8 years): $37,662
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Air Cargo Handler less than 1 year $36,665
Early Career Level Air Cargo Handler 1-2 years $36,855
Mid-Level Level Air Cargo Handler 2-4 years $37,295
Senior-Level Level Air Cargo Handler 5-8 years $37,588
Expert Level Air Cargo Handler over 8 years $37,662

How Do Air Cargo Handler Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Air Cargo Handlers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $40,631.
  • California: $40,477.
  • Massachusetts: $39,937.

Top Paying Cities for Air Cargo Handler

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $34,480
  • Saint Peter: $34,433
  • Salem: $34,564

Air Cargo Handler Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Cargo Handler roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Air Cargo Handler positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Cargo Handler as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Air Cargo Handler

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $47,785 $23.0 28%
Energy & Utilities $45,915 $22.0 23%
Biotechnology $44,044 $21.0 18%
Financial Services $42,174 $20.0 13%
Software & Networking $42,174 $20.0 13%

Air Cargo Handler Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Cargo Handler's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$34,993
Average $37,405/year
$40,045
$2,916
Average $3,117/month
$3,337
$673
Average $719/week
$770
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,045 $3,337 $770 $19
Average $37,405 $3,117 $719 $18
25th Percentile $34,993 $2,916 $673 $17

Find Your Next Air Cargo Handler Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Air Cargo Handler job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Air Cargo Ramp Agent ORD

    Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Worldwide Flight Services - - Responsibilities: Load and unload aircraft cargo. Transport cargo between aircraft and terminals. Drive 3,000 lb vehicle in c... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Air Cargo Warehouse agent ORD

    Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Worldwide Flight Services - - Responsibilities: Move air cargo within designated warehouse and load/unload from pallets and containers. Build up cargo for ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Air Cargo Lead Office Agent

    Worldwide Flight Services | Chicago, IL

    Worldwide Flight Services - - Responsibilities: Manage and schedule cargo team workload. Ensure security procedures are followed. Prepare flight documents ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • UPS | Franklin Park, IL

    Air Ramp

    UPS | Franklin Park, IL

    UPS - JobID: 98DE85AC14814646BC21F7C409CF45CF [Warehouse Associate] As a Package Handler at UPS, you'll: Load/unload packages in and out of UPS trailers or... more

    5 Days Ago

  • UPS | Amf Ohare, IL

    Air Ramp

    UPS | Amf Ohare, IL

    Warehouse Worker UPS Quick Apply Applying for this role online is quick and easy - you could even get a job offer in 10 minutes. The steps are simple:1) Pr... more

    7 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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