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What is the average salary in Chicago, IL?

The average salary in Chicago, IL is $83,576 per year.

Chicago, IL, offers a diverse job market with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary stands at $83,576. This figure reflects the city's strong economy and various job opportunities. Many industries contribute to these salaries, including finance, healthcare, and technology.


The salary distribution shows a range of earnings across different sectors. The top-paying jobs include those in finance, healthcare, and technology, with salaries reaching up to $230,000 annually. Other notable sectors include legal, management, and education, offering salaries from $50,773 to $122,464. This variety ensures that job seekers can find roles that match their skills and career aspirations.

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What are the best paying jobs in Chicago, IL?

Chicago offers a variety of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Among the top positions are roles like Staff Physician, Owner Operator, and Psychiatrist. These positions provide competitive salaries, reflecting the demand for specialized skills in the city. Staff Physicians and Psychiatrists enjoy some of the highest earnings, with average salaries reaching over $300,000 annually. Owner Operators also benefit from lucrative opportunities, often surpassing $300,000 in earnings. These jobs highlight the potential for significant financial rewards in Chicago's diverse job market.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Chicago, IL, highlighting Staff Physician with the highest at $354,493 and Director of Enterprise Strategy with the lowest at $188,181.
  1. Staff Physician
    Average Salary: $354,493
    This role involves diagnosing and treating patients. They work in hospitals and clinics. Major employers include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center.
    Find Staff Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  2. Owner Operator
    Average Salary: $311,353
    This role involves managing a business. They oversee operations and staff. Companies like United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx offer these positions.
    Find Owner Operator jobs in Chicago, IL


  3. Psychiatrist
    Average Salary: $309,992
    This role involves treating mental health conditions. They work in private practices and hospitals. Notable employers include Rush University Medical Center and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital.
    Find Psychiatrist jobs in Chicago, IL


  4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
    Average Salary: $254,735
    This role involves administering anesthesia. They work in hospitals and surgical centers. Major employers include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Advocate Health Care.
    Find Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist jobs in Chicago, IL


  5. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $250,262
    This role involves diagnosing and treating oral health issues. They work in private practices and clinics. Notable employers include Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental.
    Find General Dentist jobs in Chicago, IL


  6. Physician
    Average Salary: $239,211
    This role involves diagnosing and treating patients. They work in hospitals and clinics. Major employers include Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center.
    Find Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  7. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $225,314
    This role involves providing general medical care. They work in clinics and hospitals. Notable employers include Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  8. Chief Operating Officer
    Average Salary: $200,320
    This role involves managing daily operations. They work in corporate settings. Major employers include Boeing and Accenture.
    Find Chief Operating Officer jobs in Chicago, IL


  9. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $188,533
    This role involves providing legal advice. They work in corporate settings. Notable employers include Boeing and Accenture.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Chicago, IL


  10. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $188,181
    This role involves developing business strategies. They work in corporate settings. Major employers include Boeing and Accenture.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in Chicago, IL

What are the best paying jobs in Chicago, IL without a degree?

Chicago offers several high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. Dry cleaners earn an average of $97,788 annually, making it one of the top-paying jobs in the city. Other well-paying positions include terminal operators, canvassers, and concrete laborers, all of which offer competitive salaries with good earning potential. These jobs provide a great opportunity for those seeking to enter the workforce without a degree. Terminal operators, for example, earn an average of $73,226 annually. Canvassers and concrete laborers also offer solid incomes, with average salaries of $62,778 and $60,203, respectively. These roles not only pay well but also offer a chance to gain valuable experience and skills.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Chicago, IL without a degree, highlighting Dry Cleaner with the highest at $97,788 and Arborist Climber with the lowest at $45,951.
  1. Dry Cleaner
    Average Salary: $97,788
    This job involves cleaning and pressing clothing. It requires attention to detail and knowledge of cleaning techniques. Many local businesses offer this service.
    Find Dry Cleaner jobs in Chicago, IL


  2. Terminal Operator
    Average Salary: $73,226
    Operators handle the movement of goods in a terminal. They need to understand logistics and safety procedures. Companies like UPS and FedEx offer these roles.
    Find Terminal Operator jobs in Chicago, IL


  3. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $62,778
    Canvassers gather information and promote products or services. They work outdoors and interact with the community. Local businesses often hire canvassers for marketing.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Chicago, IL


  4. Concrete Laborer
    Average Salary: $60,203
    Laborers mix and pour concrete for construction projects. They need physical strength and basic construction skills. Many construction firms in the city offer these positions.
    Find Concrete Laborer jobs in Chicago, IL


  5. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $59,950
    Managers oversee daily operations in restaurants. They handle staff, inventory, and customer service. Many local eateries need experienced managers.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Chicago, IL


  6. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $58,582
    Technicians install and maintain irrigation systems. They need to understand water systems and landscaping. Companies specializing in landscaping offer these jobs.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Chicago, IL


  7. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $52,650
    Kitchen managers supervise kitchen staff and ensure food quality. They need to be organized and knowledgeable about food safety. Many restaurants and cafes hire kitchen managers.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Chicago, IL


  8. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $50,435
    Specialists handle orders for takeout and delivery. They need to be efficient and customer-focused. Many local restaurants offer these positions.
    Find To Go Specialist jobs in Chicago, IL


  9. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $45,959
    Finishers smooth and finish concrete surfaces. They need to be detail-oriented and physically fit. Construction companies often hire finishers for various projects.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Chicago, IL


  10. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $45,951
    Climbers work in trees to prune and maintain them. They need to be physically strong and knowledgeable about tree care. Landscaping companies offer these roles.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in Chicago, IL

Which companies offer the top salaries in Chicago, IL?

Job seekers in Chicago, IL, have several top companies to consider for high salaries. Fox Freight, Inc. leads with an average salary of $378,000. Other notable companies include Palo Alto Networks, SAP, and Leader Freight Systems, all offering competitive salaries above $200,000. Companies like Google, Amazon Web Services, and EY also provide attractive compensation packages. ServiceNow, Okta, and Selby Jennings round out the list of top-paying employers in the city. These companies offer a range of opportunities for professionals seeking both high earnings and career growth.
Graph displaying company salaries in Chicago, IL, highlighting Fox Freight, Inc. with the highest at $378,000 and Amazon Web Services with the lowest at $175,179.
  1. Fox Freight, Inc.
    Average Salary: $378,000
    Fox Freight, Inc. is a leading logistics company. They offer top-notch compensation and benefits.


  2. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $260,806
    Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity firm. They provide competitive salaries and a dynamic work environment.


  3. SAP
    Average Salary: $233,681
    SAP is a software company. They offer excellent career growth and a strong salary package.


  4. Leader Freight Systems
    Average Salary: $231,184
    Leader Freight Systems is a logistics company. They provide good salaries and a supportive work culture.


  5. Selby Jennings
    Average Salary: $210,084
    Selby Jennings is a staffing and recruitment firm. They offer competitive pay and career advancement opportunities.


  6. ServiceNow
    Average Salary: $188,064
    ServiceNow is an IT management company. They offer attractive salaries and a collaborative work environment.


  7. Okta
    Average Salary: $184,658
    Okta is a cloud security company. They provide good compensation and a dynamic work culture.


  8. EY
    Average Salary: $181,661
    EY is a global accounting firm. They offer competitive salaries and a variety of career paths.


  9. Google
    Average Salary: $177,421
    Google is a tech giant. They offer high salaries and a creative work environment.


  10. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $175,179
    Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing company. They provide good pay and opportunities for growth.

How does the cost of living in Chicago, IL compare to the national average?

Chicago, IL, has a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The overall cost of living index in Chicago stands at 108%, reflecting a slight increase in expenses across various categories. Housing costs are notably higher, with an index of 120%, while groceries and healthcare also exceed the national average at 105% and 115%, respectively.
Cost of living comparison graph for Chicago, IL vs. Nationwide: housing 20% higher, groceries 5% higher, utilities 5% lower, transportation 10% higher, healthcare 15% higher, miscellaneous 2% higher.

The cost of living in Chicago, Illinois, shows a varied picture when compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Chicago stand at 120, indicating that residents pay 20% more than the national average for housing. This higher cost can significantly impact overall living expenses, making it a crucial factor for job seekers to consider.


In other areas, Chicago's cost of living remains relatively close to the national average. Groceries cost 105, which is 5% higher than the average. Utilities are slightly below the average at 95, meaning residents spend 5% less on utilities. Transportation costs are 110, which is 10% higher. Healthcare costs are also 15% higher at 115. Miscellaneous expenses, which include items like entertainment and personal care, are at 102, just 2% above the average. These figures show that while some costs are higher, others are comparable or even lower than the average, offering a balanced view for potential residents.

There are 18,804 job openings in Chicago, IL, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Chicago, IL

Discover what it's like to work in Chicago, IL. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
Overview
Chicago, IL
18,804 Job Openings