Illinois Salary Guide (2026)
Whether you're evaluating a job offer, negotiating a raise, or relocating to Illinois, understanding what salaries look like in the IL job market is essential. Here's the latest SalaryLabs wage and tax context for pay in Illinois.
Average Salaries in Illinois by Occupation (2026)
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 115.000 | 55.29 | 9.583 |
| Registered Nurse | 78.000 | 37.50 | 6.500 |
| Teacher (Public) | 64.000 | 30.77 | 5.333 |
| Financial Analyst | 80.000 | 38.46 | 6.667 |
| Accountant | 68.000 | 32.69 | 5.667 |
Source note: SalaryLabs editorial state wage references informed by public BLS wage context. Figures are directional benchmarks for Illinois, not a live official lookup.
How to use this page: treat it as a quick state snapshot, not a filing-grade or relocation-grade answer. For a real decision, pair this directional wage context with the main Salary Calculator, Take Home Pay, and US Salary Heatmap.
Best use case in Illinois: use this page when the question is not just “what is my gross hourly rate?” but “how should I read a salary in this state before I go deeper?” The most useful signal here is the combination of Chicago's higher local benchmark (78.000/year), 4.95% state income tax, and a cost-of-living index of 108. That mix tells you whether Illinois looks stronger as a paycheck state, a purchasing-power state, or simply a neutral gross-pay reference before you run a fuller take-home or relocation check.
Cost of Living in Illinois
Illinois's cost of living index is 108 (national average = 100). Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so a salary here is roughly equivalent in purchasing power to the same salary elsewhere.
Illinois Tax Overview (2026)
When you receive your paycheck in Illinois, the following deductions apply:
- Federal income tax: 10–37% depending on your income bracket (2026 IRS rates)
- Illinois state income tax: flat 4.95% for all income levels
- Social Security: 6.2% on income up to $184,500
- Medicare: 1.45% on all income (additional 0.9% above $200K)
Minimum Wage in Illinois (2026)
The minimum wage in Illinois is $14.00 per hour as of 2026. At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, that equals $29.120/year gross. This is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.