Salary & Cost of Living in Carol Stream, IL
Carol Stream, IL: $57,542 median salary, cost of living index 93.4, $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$57,542
$28/hr
Cost of Living
93.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Carol Stream, IL Overview
Population
40,438
Median Salary
$57,542
Average Salary
$64,447
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$252,000
Median Rent
$1,028/mo
Job Growth
+0.5%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Carol Stream is located in Illinois with a population of 40,438. The median household salary is $57,542 per year ($28/hour), which is $1,842 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.5%.
Carol Stream Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Carol Stream, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $57,542 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $35,676 | $17.15/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $57,542 | $27.66/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $81,710 | $39.28/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $102,425 | $49.23/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Carol Stream Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Carol Stream, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,425
$3,785.43/month · $1,747.12/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.1%
Gross Pay
$57,542
Federal Tax
-$4,867
State Tax
-$2,848
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,402
Net Pay
$45,425
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,795.17 | $57,542.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$405.55 | -$4,866.54 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$237.36 | -$2,848.33 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$297.30 | -$3,567.60 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$69.53 | -$834.36 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,785.43 | $45,425.17 |
Salary Comparison: Carol Stream vs Other Cities
See how Carol Stream's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carol Stream, IL | $57,542 | 93.4 | $61,608 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Lombard, IL | $57,549 | 90.1 | $63,872 |
| Brooklyn Center, MN | $57,525 | 101.1 | $56,899 |
| Kearns, UT | $57,703 | 101.8 | $56,683 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $57,360 | 110.9 | $51,722 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Carol Stream
Carol Stream's cost of living index is 93.4 (national average = 100). Living in Carol Stream is 6.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$252,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,028
Annual Rent Cost
$12,336
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,425 annual take-home pay in Carol Stream has the purchasing power of approximately $48,635 in an average-cost US area. Your $57,542 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Carol Stream
Carol Stream's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $57,542.
Salary Tips for Carol Stream Workers
- Research top industries. Carol Stream's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $57,542 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Carol Stream salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Carol Stream-IL metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Carol Stream indexed at 93.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Carol Stream's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $57,542 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Illinois state income tax (4.95%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Carol Stream: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Illinois.
- Housing context: median home price $252,000, median rent $1,028/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Carol Stream, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Carol Stream unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Carol Stream QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Illinois — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Carol Stream's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Illinois labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Carol Stream, IL?
The median salary in Carol Stream, IL is $57,542 per year, or $28 per hour. The average salary is $64,447. This is $1,842 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Carol Stream, IL?
Carol Stream's cost of living index is 93.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $252,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,028.
What are the best industries in Carol Stream?
The top industries in Carol Stream, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 0.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $57,542.
How does Carol Stream's salary compare to other cities?
Carol Stream's median salary of $57,542 is 3.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 93.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,608.
What is the minimum wage in Carol Stream, IL?
The minimum wage in Carol Stream, IL is $14.00 per hour. This equals approximately $29,120 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $6.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.