Cost of living

Cost of living in Illinois: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Illinois is about $1,246/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 299 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Chief Executive$15,548/mo8%
Nurse Anesthetist$15,548/mo8%
IT Manager$10,676/mo12%
Lawyer$10,522/mo12%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$10,414/mo12%
Dentist$10,354/mo12%
Financial Manager$9,744/mo13%
Marketing Manager$9,713/mo13%
Natural Sciences Manager$8,992/mo14%
Purchasing Manager$8,900/mo14%
Sales Manager$8,819/mo14%
Pharmacist$8,783/mo14%
Human Resources Manager$8,591/mo15%
Network Architect$8,563/mo15%
Optometrist$8,519/mo15%
Police and Detective$8,350/mo15%
Family Physician$8,343/mo15%
Public Relations Manager$8,258/mo15%
Nurse Practitioner$8,252/mo15%
Software Developer$8,203/mo15%
Computer Hardware Engineer$8,033/mo16%
Actuary$7,777/mo16%
Industrial Production Manager$7,747/mo16%
Physician Assistant$7,696/mo16%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$7,669/mo16%
Information Security Analyst$7,592/mo16%
Healthcare Manager$7,088/mo18%
Data Scientist$7,058/mo18%
Construction Manager$7,029/mo18%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$6,975/mo18%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$6,925/mo18%
Administrative Services Manager$6,812/mo18%
Management Consultant$6,800/mo18%
Electrical Engineer$6,768/mo18%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$6,716/mo19%
Physical Therapist$6,683/mo19%
Veterinarian$6,679/mo19%
Facilities Manager$6,646/mo19%
Operations Research Analyst$6,622/mo19%
Financial Analyst$6,598/mo19%
Operations Manager$6,581/mo19%
Web Developer$6,538/mo19%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,514/mo19%
Industrial Engineer$6,478/mo19%
Systems Analyst$6,466/mo19%
Mechanical Engineer$6,462/mo19%
Police Officer$6,398/mo19%
Civil Engineer$6,362/mo20%
Occupational Therapist$6,308/mo20%
Construction Supervisor$6,298/mo20%
Database Administrator$6,276/mo20%
Financial Advisor$6,232/mo20%
Project Management Specialist$6,211/mo20%
Electrician$6,181/mo20%
Plumber$6,143/mo20%
Network Administrator$6,105/mo20%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$6,014/mo21%
Labor Relations Specialist$5,911/mo21%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$5,909/mo21%
Sonographer$5,876/mo21%
Medical Scientist$5,834/mo21%
Equipment Operator$5,832/mo21%
Sheet Metal Worker$5,819/mo21%
Computer Programmer$5,606/mo22%
Psychologist$5,589/mo22%
Financial Examiner$5,530/mo23%
Credit Analyst$5,504/mo23%
Speech Pathologist$5,498/mo23%
Architect$5,404/mo23%
Chemist$5,393/mo23%
Registered Nurse$5,361/mo23%
Dental Hygienist$5,325/mo23%
Firefighter$5,225/mo24%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$5,216/mo24%
Cost Estimator$5,163/mo24%
Respiratory Therapist$5,134/mo24%
Compliance Officer$5,094/mo24%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$5,093/mo24%
Accountant$5,088/mo24%
High School Teacher$5,013/mo25%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$5,008/mo25%
Special Ed Teacher$4,995/mo25%
Instructional Coordinator$4,972/mo25%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$4,953/mo25%
Insurance Underwriter$4,947/mo25%
Claims Adjuster$4,939/mo25%
Producers and Director$4,898/mo25%
Loan Officer$4,891/mo25%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$4,841/mo26%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$4,821/mo26%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$4,812/mo26%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$4,805/mo26%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$4,768/mo26%
Social and Community Service Manager$4,746/mo26%
Construction and Building Inspector$4,744/mo26%
Radiologic Technologist$4,633/mo27%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$4,622/mo27%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,581/mo27%
Logistician$4,558/mo27%
Public Relations Specialist$4,557/mo27%
Market Research Analyst$4,549/mo27%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,538/mo27%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$4,534/mo27%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$4,490/mo28%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,456/mo28%
Carpenter$4,446/mo28%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$4,436/mo28%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$4,397/mo28%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$4,371/mo29%
Property Manager$4,343/mo29%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$4,327/mo29%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,309/mo29%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$4,300/mo29%
HR Specialist$4,289/mo29%
Training and Development Specialist$4,283/mo29%
HVAC Technician$4,220/mo30%
Elementary School Teacher$4,219/mo30%
Medical Equipment Repairer$4,201/mo30%
Correctional Officer$4,189/mo30%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,172/mo30%
Production and Operating Worker$4,168/mo30%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$4,167/mo30%
Sales Representative$4,161/mo30%
Healthcare Social Worker$4,152/mo30%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$4,142/mo30%
Roofer$4,125/mo30%
Dietitian$4,124/mo30%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,108/mo30%
Interior Designer$4,094/mo30%
Licensed Practical Nurse$4,069/mo31%
Diesel Mechanic$4,066/mo31%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,056/mo31%
Advertising Sales Agent$4,047/mo31%
Editor$4,029/mo31%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$4,028/mo31%
Chiropractor$4,024/mo31%
Food Service Manager$4,021/mo31%
Chef$3,992/mo31%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,990/mo31%
Construction Laborer$3,988/mo31%
Librarian$3,985/mo31%
Writer$3,981/mo31%
Fundraiser$3,964/mo31%
Painter$3,964/mo31%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,948/mo32%
Massage Therapist$3,944/mo32%
Highway Maintenance Worker$3,929/mo32%
School Counselor$3,898/mo32%
Surgical Technologist$3,884/mo32%
Postal Service Clerk$3,872/mo32%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,867/mo32%
Social Worker$3,849/mo32%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,822/mo33%
Clergy$3,809/mo33%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$3,808/mo33%
Truck Driver$3,799/mo33%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,795/mo33%
IT Support Specialist$3,778/mo33%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$3,773/mo33%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,738/mo33%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,728/mo33%
Graphic Designer$3,711/mo34%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$3,702/mo34%
Security Worker$3,606/mo35%
Paramedic$3,498/mo36%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,474/mo36%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,381/mo37%
Insurance Agent$3,301/mo38%
Maintenance Worker$3,251/mo38%
Fitness Trainer$3,245/mo38%
Medical Records Specialist$3,244/mo38%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$3,221/mo39%
Real Estate Agent$3,213/mo39%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,207/mo39%
Machinist$3,185/mo39%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$3,184/mo39%
Personal Service Worker$3,171/mo39%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,165/mo39%
Biological Technician$3,160/mo39%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$3,160/mo39%
Auto Mechanic$3,154/mo40%
Bus Drivers, School$3,153/mo40%
Bookkeeper$3,136/mo40%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$3,132/mo40%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,108/mo40%
Retail Supervisor$3,072/mo41%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$3,069/mo41%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$3,061/mo41%
Welder$3,060/mo41%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$3,056/mo41%
Psychiatric Technician$3,048/mo41%
Delivery Driver$3,034/mo41%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,034/mo41%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$3,032/mo41%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$3,015/mo41%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,011/mo41%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,999/mo42%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,991/mo42%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,991/mo42%
Admin Assistant$2,985/mo42%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,978/mo42%
Journalist$2,963/mo42%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,945/mo42%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,931/mo43%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,920/mo43%
Food Batchmaker$2,913/mo43%
Tax Preparer$2,912/mo43%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$2,907/mo43%
Phlebotomist$2,894/mo43%
Bill and Account Collector$2,885/mo43%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,885/mo43%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,883/mo43%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,874/mo43%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,872/mo43%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,855/mo44%
Dental Assistant$2,833/mo44%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,826/mo44%
Audio and Video Technician$2,813/mo44%
Landscaper$2,800/mo45%
Medical Assistant$2,785/mo45%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,781/mo45%
Customer Service Rep$2,738/mo46%
Library Technician$2,727/mo46%
Office Clerk$2,712/mo46%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,672/mo47%
Order Clerk$2,656/mo47%
Printing Press Operator$2,644/mo47%
Sports Coach$2,606/mo48%
Pharmacy Technician$2,596/mo48%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,583/mo48%
File Clerk$2,581/mo48%
Nursing Assistant$2,568/mo49%
Pest Control Worker$2,553/mo49%
EMT$2,552/mo49%
Food Service Supervisor$2,518/mo49%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,492/mo50%
Couriers and Messenger$2,483/mo50%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,458/mo51%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$2,451/mo51%
Skincare Specialist$2,451/mo51%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,444/mo51%
Parking Attendant$2,441/mo51%
Warehouse Worker$2,438/mo51%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,436/mo51%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$2,435/mo51%
Preschool Teacher$2,434/mo51%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,433/mo51%
Opticians, Dispensing$2,433/mo51%
Residential Advisor$2,432/mo51%
Parts Salesperson$2,422/mo51%
Data Entry Keyer$2,417/mo52%
Security Guard$2,402/mo52%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,393/mo52%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,385/mo52%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,382/mo52%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,381/mo52%
Teller$2,377/mo52%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,367/mo53%
Janitor$2,366/mo53%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,362/mo53%
Restaurant Cook$2,360/mo53%
Receptionist$2,343/mo53%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,342/mo53%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,338/mo53%
Hairdresser$2,336/mo53%
Photographer$2,330/mo53%
Teaching Assistant$2,322/mo54%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,319/mo54%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,311/mo54%
Tutor$2,309/mo54%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,306/mo54%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$2,302/mo54%
Home Health Aide$2,276/mo55%
Baker$2,261/mo55%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,235/mo56%
Retail Salesperson$2,217/mo56%
Cooks, Short Order$2,191/mo57%
Recreation Worker$2,189/mo57%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$2,174/mo57%
Dishwasher$2,127/mo59%
School Bus Monitor$2,096/mo59%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$2,076/mo60%
Animal Caretaker$2,073/mo60%
Food Preparation Worker$2,058/mo61%
Childcare Worker$2,025/mo62%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,022/mo62%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,998/mo62%
Library Assistants, Clerical$1,990/mo63%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,988/mo63%
Cashier$1,966/mo63%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,957/mo64%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,947/mo64%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,937/mo64%
Bartender$1,928/mo65%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,918/mo65%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,905/mo65%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,886/mo66%
Server$1,822/mo68%
Telemarketer$1,822/mo68%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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