Decatur Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Decatur, IL: $15.57/hr median hourly wage, $32,380 median annual salary, cost of living index 80.5, and $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Illinois taxes.
Decatur Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Decatur, IL is $15.57/hr, equivalent to $32,380 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $9.65/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $22.11/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.00/hr.
Median Salary
$32,380
$15.57/hr
Cost of Living
80.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.9%
rate
Decatur, IL Overview
Population
70,522
Median Salary
$32,380
Average Salary
$36,266
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$95,000
Median Rent
$500/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Decatur is located in Illinois with a population of 70,522. The median household salary is $32,380 per year ($15.57/hour), which is $27,004 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Decatur Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Decatur, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $32,380 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 | $20,076 | $9.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $32,380 | $15.57/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $45,980 | $22.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $57,636 | $27.71/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.
Decatur Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Decatur, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$26,595
$2,216.21/month · $1,022.87/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.9%
Gross Pay
$32,380
Federal Tax
-$1,706
State Tax
-$1,603
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,477
Net Pay
$26,595
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,698.33 | $32,380.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$142.13 | -$1,705.60 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$133.57 | -$1,602.81 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$167.30 | -$2,007.56 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$39.13 | -$469.51 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,216.21 | $26,594.52 |
Salary Comparison: Decatur vs Other Cities
See how Decatur's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $32,380 | 80.5 | $40,224 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Jackson, TN | $32,377 | 82.5 | $39,245 |
| Bloomington, IN | $32,390 | 90.5 | $35,790 |
| Kokomo, IN | $32,366 | 80.5 | $40,206 |
| Valdosta, GA | $32,364 | 83.2 | $38,899 |
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 Decatur
Decatur's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100). Living in Decatur is 19.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$95,000
Median Monthly Rent
$500
Annual Rent Cost
$6,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $26,595 annual take-home pay in Decatur has the purchasing power of approximately $33,037 in an average-cost US area. Your $32,380 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Decatur
Decatur's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $32,380.
Salary Tips for Decatur Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Decatur has a cost of living 19.5% below the national average. A salary of $32,380 here has the purchasing power of about $40,224 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Decatur's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $32,380 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 Decatur salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Decatur-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 Decatur indexed at 80.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Decatur's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $32,380 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 Decatur: 3.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Illinois.
- Housing context: median home price $95,000, median rent $500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Decatur, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Decatur unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Decatur 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. Decatur'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 hourly wage in Decatur, IL?
The median hourly wage in Decatur, IL is $15.57 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $32,380 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $9.65/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $22.11/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Decatur, IL?
The median salary in Decatur, IL is $32,380 per year, or $15.57 per hour. The average salary is $36,266. This is $27,004 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Decatur, IL?
Decatur's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $95,000 and the median monthly rent is $500.
What are the best industries in Decatur?
The top industries in Decatur, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $32,380.
How does Decatur's salary compare to other cities?
Decatur's median salary of $32,380 is 45.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 80.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,224.
What is the minimum wage in Decatur, IL?
The minimum wage in Decatur, 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.