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What is the average salary in Chicago, IL?

The average salary in Chicago, IL is $81,686 per year.

Chicago offers a diverse range of job opportunities with competitive salaries. The average yearly salary in Chicago stands at $81,686. This figure reflects the city's robust economy and various industries. Many professionals find attractive compensation packages in sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology.


Job seekers in Chicago can expect salaries to vary by industry. For example, the top-paying sectors include finance, with salaries reaching up to $225,900 per year. Other high-paying fields are healthcare, technology, and legal services. These sectors provide excellent earning potential for those with the right skills and experience. The city's dynamic job market supports a wide range of career paths, making it an attractive place for job seekers.

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What are the best paying jobs in Chicago, IL?

Chicago offers a variety of high-paying jobs across different sectors. Among these, medical professionals often earn the highest salaries. Staff Physicians, for instance, can make over $356,000 annually. Other top earners include Owner Operators, who can earn around $324,000, and Psychiatrists, with salaries close to $308,000. Business and legal professionals also find lucrative opportunities in Chicago. Chief Operating Officers and Directors of Enterprise Strategy can expect to earn over $180,000 each year. General Counsel positions offer salaries around $183,000. These roles provide excellent compensation and career growth potential.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Chicago, IL, highlighting Staff Physician with the highest at $356,594 and Dispatcher with the lowest at $173,679.
  1. Staff Physician
    Average Salary: $356,594
    This role involves diagnosing and treating patients. It requires a medical degree and a license to practice. Many hospitals and clinics offer this position.
    Find Staff Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  2. Owner Operator
    Average Salary: $324,545
    This position involves managing and running a business. It requires experience in business operations. Many companies offer this role.
    Find Owner Operator jobs in Chicago, IL


  3. Psychiatrist
    Average Salary: $307,710
    This role involves treating mental health issues. It requires a medical degree and a license. Many hospitals and private practices offer this position.
    Find Psychiatrist jobs in Chicago, IL


  4. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $251,740
    This role involves providing dental care. It requires a dental degree and a license. Many dental practices offer this position.
    Find General Dentist jobs in Chicago, IL


  5. Physician
    Average Salary: $232,477
    This role involves diagnosing and treating patients. It requires a medical degree and a license. Many hospitals and clinics offer this position.
    Find Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  6. Primary Care Physician
    Average Salary: $222,581
    This role involves providing general medical care. It requires a medical degree and a license. Many clinics and hospitals offer this position.
    Find Primary Care Physician jobs in Chicago, IL


  7. Chief Operating Officer
    Average Salary: $185,285
    This role involves overseeing daily operations. It requires experience in management. Many companies offer this position.
    Find Chief Operating Officer jobs in Chicago, IL


  8. Director of Enterprise Strategy
    Average Salary: $183,090
    This role involves developing and implementing business strategies. It requires experience in strategy and management. Many companies offer this position.
    Find Director of Enterprise Strategy jobs in Chicago, IL


  9. General Counsel
    Average Salary: $183,060
    This role involves providing legal advice. It requires a law degree and a license. Many companies offer this position.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Chicago, IL


  10. Dispatcher
    Average Salary: $173,679
    This role involves coordinating and directing services. It requires experience in communication and management. Many companies offer this position.
    Find Dispatcher 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 offering competitive salaries. These jobs provide excellent opportunities for those seeking to enter the workforce without a degree. Terminal operators, for example, manage cargo and freight, earning around $71,527 per year. Canvassers, who promote products or services, can expect to make about $65,198 annually. Concrete laborers, involved in construction projects, earn approximately $60,898 per year. These roles not only offer good pay but also provide valuable skills and experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Chicago, IL without a degree, highlighting Dry Cleaner with the highest at $97,788 and Concrete Finisher with the lowest at $45,897.
  1. Dry Cleaner
    Average Salary: $97,788
    This role involves cleaning and pressing clothes. It is a hands-on job that requires attention to detail. Many local businesses offer this service, making it a steady career choice.
    Find Dry Cleaner jobs in Chicago, IL


  2. Terminal Operator
    Average Salary: $71,527
    Operators manage freight and cargo at terminals. They ensure goods are loaded and unloaded safely. This job is crucial for the city's logistics and transportation sectors.
    Find Terminal Operator jobs in Chicago, IL


  3. Canvasser
    Average Salary: $65,198
    Canvassers gather information and promote products or services. They often work for political campaigns or local businesses. This job involves a lot of walking and talking to people.
    Find Canvasser jobs in Chicago, IL


  4. Concrete Laborer
    Average Salary: $60,898
    Laborers mix and pour concrete for construction projects. They work outdoors and need physical strength. This job is essential for building new structures in the city.
    Find Concrete Laborer jobs in Chicago, IL


  5. Restaurant Manager
    Average Salary: $58,728
    Managers oversee daily operations in restaurants. They handle staff, orders, and customer service. This role is dynamic and requires good organizational skills.
    Find Restaurant Manager jobs in Chicago, IL


  6. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $58,582
    Technicians install and maintain irrigation systems. They work in parks and gardens, ensuring plants get the right amount of water. This job is ideal for those who enjoy working outdoors.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Chicago, IL


  7. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $54,278
    Managers supervise kitchen staff and ensure food quality. They coordinate with chefs and servers to keep the kitchen running smoothly. This role is fast-paced and requires strong leadership skills.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Chicago, IL


  8. To Go Specialist
    Average Salary: $46,752
    Specialists prepare and package food for takeout orders. They work in busy kitchens and need to be quick and accurate. This job is essential for the city's food delivery services.
    Find To Go Specialist jobs in Chicago, IL


  9. Arborist Climber
    Average Salary: $46,024
    Climbers trim and remove branches from trees. They work at heights and need to be careful and skilled. This job is important for maintaining the city's tree canopy.
    Find Arborist Climber jobs in Chicago, IL


  10. Concrete Finisher
    Average Salary: $45,897
    Finishers smooth and finish concrete surfaces. They use tools to shape and texture the concrete. This job is hands-on and requires attention to detail.
    Find Concrete Finisher jobs in Chicago, IL

Which companies offer the top salaries in Chicago, IL?

Job seekers in Chicago, IL, have many great companies to choose from, especially when it comes to salary. Fox Freight, Inc. leads the way with an average salary of $370,892. This company offers the highest pay among those listed. Other top-paying companies include Palo Alto Networks, Empire National, and Leader Freight Systems, all offering average salaries above $200,000. SAP, Selby Jennings, Okta, and ServiceNow also provide competitive salaries, with averages ranging from $180,000 to $225,000. EY and Google round out the top ten, each offering salaries above $180,000. These companies show that Chicago has many opportunities for those seeking high-paying jobs.
Graph displaying company salaries in Chicago, IL, highlighting Fox Freight, Inc. with the highest at $370,892 and Google with the lowest at $180,066.
  1. Fox Freight, Inc.
    Average Salary: $370,892
    Fox Freight, Inc. is a leading logistics company in Chicago. They offer top-notch services in freight and transportation. Their competitive salary reflects their commitment to employee satisfaction.


  2. Palo Alto Networks
    Average Salary: $261,147
    Palo Alto Networks is a global cybersecurity leader. They provide innovative solutions to protect businesses. Their high salary is a testament to their industry expertise.


  3. Empire National
    Average Salary: $255,054
    Empire National is a major insurance company in Chicago. They offer a range of insurance products and services. Their competitive pay attracts top talent in the industry.


  4. Leader Freight Systems
    Average Salary: $232,380
    Leader Freight Systems is a key player in the logistics sector. They focus on providing efficient freight solutions. Their salary packages are among the best in the industry.


  5. SAP
    Average Salary: $224,948
    SAP is a global software company. They offer enterprise software solutions. Their high salary reflects their reputation for excellence in technology.


  6. Selby Jennings
    Average Salary: $205,609
    Selby Jennings is a prominent staffing and recruiting firm. They connect top talent with leading companies. Their competitive pay helps them attract the best candidates.


  7. Okta
    Average Salary: $189,058
    Okta is a cloud security company. They provide identity management solutions. Their salary is competitive, reflecting their innovative approach to security.


  8. ServiceNow
    Average Salary: $186,163
    ServiceNow is a cloud-based software company. They offer workflow automation solutions. Their salary packages are attractive to professionals in the field.


  9. EY
    Average Salary: $181,758
    EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, and consulting services. They provide top-tier services to businesses. Their salary reflects their industry standing.


  10. Google
    Average Salary: $180,066
    Google is a tech giant known for its search engine and innovative products. They offer a range of services and products. Their salary is competitive, attracting top talent.

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, with an overall index of 105. This figure indicates that living expenses in Chicago are 5% higher than the national average. Specifically, housing costs are 20% higher, while groceries and transportation also exceed the average by 5% and 10%, respectively. Utilities and healthcare are slightly below the national average, with indices of 95.
Cost of living comparison graph for Chicago, IL vs. Nationwide: housing 20% higher, groceries 5% higher, utilities 5% lower, transportation 10% higher, healthcare 5% lower, miscellaneous 0% lower.

The cost of living in Chicago, IL, shows a mixed picture 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. This higher housing index reflects the demand for living spaces in a bustling city like Chicago.


Transportation costs in Chicago also exceed the national average, with an index of 110. This means that commuting and other transportation-related expenses are 10% higher than the average American city. Groceries in Chicago have a cost of living index of 105, which is 5% above the national average. This slight increase suggests that while groceries are affordable, they are not as cheap as in other parts of the country. Utilities, healthcare, and miscellaneous costs in Chicago are close to the national average, with indices of 95, 95, and 100, respectively. This balance helps to offset the higher costs in housing and transportation.

There are 19,132 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
19,132 Job Openings