ocity
💰 COL Index: 103 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Chicago, IL

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-25 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$70,311
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$68,529
model average ÷ 102.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$158,849
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,507
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Chicago?

$70,311 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$70,311/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,859/month
Household income context$74,474

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$158,849
💡 Purchasing-power model $154,824
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $76.37/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +1% vs national

Pharmacist

$137,091
💡 Purchasing-power model $133,617
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $65.91/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,252
💡 Purchasing-power model $125,002
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.66/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +1% vs national

Construction Manager

$109,054
💡 Purchasing-power model $106,290
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $52.43/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +1% vs national

Project Manager

$102,069
💡 Purchasing-power model $99,482
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $49.07/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Chicago

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (102.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $158,849
2 Pharmacist $137,091
3 Software Developer $128,252
4 Construction Manager $109,054
5 Project Manager $102,069
6 Physical Therapist $100,487
7 Financial Analyst $99,782
8 Web Developer $93,473
9 Dental Hygienist $88,212
10 Accountant $86,751
11 Registered Nurse $86,741
12 Data Analyst $84,010
13 Insurance Agent $80,563
14 Loan Officer $76,794
15 Police Officer $75,494
16 Human Resources Specialist $68,177
17 Elementary School Teacher $64,166
18 Plumber $63,844
19 Paralegal $63,239
20 Electrician $62,030
21 Real Estate Agent $61,959
22 Graphic Designer $61,818
23 Social Worker $61,334
24 Chef/Head Cook $60,820
25 Firefighter $57,565
26 Carpenter $57,363
27 HVAC Technician $56,104
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $55,046
29 Heavy Truck Driver $53,504
30 Welder $49,976
31 Auto Mechanic $48,696
32 Personal Trainer $47,044
33 Dental Assistant $45,169
34 Veterinary Technician $43,073
35 Pharmacy Technician $40,614
36 Cosmetologist $38,669
37 Medical Assistant $38,568
38 Security Guard $36,421
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $36,038
40 Nail Technician $33,610

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Chicago salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 1.008×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 102.6 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-25; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Chicago

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,507/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,714/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$365,000
📉
Unemployment
4.5%
💳
Median Income
$74,474
🎓
College Educated
46%
🚶
Walk Score
75/100
📊
Cost of Living
103
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Chicago Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Chicago Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Chicago mean on this page?

▼
$70,311 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Chicago workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Chicago?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,859 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Chicago?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Chicago?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 1.008×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Chicago

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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