Illinois Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 1 metropolitan area in Illinois. Prices in Illinois were within 0.1% of the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 100.0).
Metro Areas in Illinois
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 103.6 | +3.6% |
| Illinois (statewide) | 100.0 | — |
Top Paying Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | IL Median | National Median | vs National | Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $160,800 | $159,670 | +$1,130 | Chicago, IL |
| Software Developer | $132,110 | $135,980 | -$3,870 | Chicago, IL |
| Financial Analyst | $101,180 | $102,740 | -$1,560 | Chicago, IL |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $63,190 | +$36,370 | Chicago, IL |
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $97,550 | -$1,560 | Chicago, IL |
Salary by City — Illinois
4Wages and Prices in Illinois
This dataset covers 1 metropolitan area in Illinois: Chicago. BEA's regional price parity for it is 103.6 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 100.0.
Of the occupations featured here, Lawyer has the highest statewide median at $160,800; in Chicago, IL, the one metro area covered here, its median is $165,660.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within Illinois.
Statewide median salary by occupation in Illinois
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $162,860 | $212,040 | 21,140 |
| Lawyer | $160,800 | $224,450 | 33,590 |
| Sales Manager | $155,280 | $208,670 | 32,240 |
| HR Manager | $151,370 | $196,630 | 13,520 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $162,280 | 12,070 |
| Network Engineer | $132,790 | $166,720 | 7,810 |
| Physician | $132,540 | $372,880 | 20,790 |
| Software Developer | $132,110 | $166,420 | 56,310 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $142,000 | 9,270 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $124,180 | $154,890 | 5,260 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $120,250 | $156,020 | 11,030 |
| Financial Advisor | $120,130 | $175,680 | 9,760 |
| Actuary | $115,430 | $158,540 | 2,280 |
| Construction Manager | $109,160 | $140,000 | 19,160 |
| Data Scientist | $106,560 | $137,290 | 10,520 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $106,560 | $137,290 | 10,520 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $122,920 | 9,800 |
| Database Administrator | $104,650 | $133,710 | 2,340 |
| Business Analyst | $104,270 | $135,020 | 45,820 |
| Operations Manager | $103,570 | $167,980 | 171,300 |
| Project Manager | $103,470 | $132,360 | 27,180 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,680 | $130,730 | 11,790 |
| Financial Analyst | $101,180 | $128,620 | 20,520 |
| DevOps Engineer | $100,080 | $128,790 | 9,820 |
| Plumber | $99,950 | $120,050 | 16,750 |
| Investment Banker | $99,840 | $156,700 | 27,920 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,760 | $125,990 | 13,910 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $109,780 | 7,710 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $117,460 | 23,120 |
| Cloud Architect | $99,360 | $133,070 | 11,160 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $101,800 | 8,970 |
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $105,960 | 138,910 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $106,650 | 1,040 |
| UX Designer | $85,710 | $129,810 | 2,050 |
| Accountant | $80,230 | $102,270 | 54,930 |
| Tax Manager | $80,230 | $102,270 | 54,930 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $79,930 | $97,950 | 7,650 |
| HVAC Technician | $77,410 | $96,030 | 9,740 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,320 | $97,830 | 61,520 |
| Paralegal | $63,670 | $81,970 | 14,130 |
| School Counselor | $62,420 | $82,890 | 13,580 |
| College Professor | $59,590 | $76,790 | 990 |
| Welder | $51,320 | $61,520 | 16,260 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | $49,460 | 20,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in Illinois?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Lawyer has the highest statewide median in Illinois at $160,800 per year, followed by Software Developer at $132,110. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in Illinois compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for Illinois at 100.0 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is within 0.1% of the national level. For the metro area covered here: Chicago, IL 103.6.