Salary & Cost of Living in Galesburg, IL
Galesburg, IL: $50,459 median salary, cost of living index 91.6, $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,459
$24/hr
Cost of Living
91.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.9%
rate
Galesburg, IL Overview
Population
30,568
Median Salary
$50,459
Average Salary
$56,514
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$228,000
Median Rent
$927/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Galesburg is located in Illinois with a population of 30,568. The median household salary is $50,459 per year ($24/hour), which is $8,925 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Galesburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Galesburg, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,459 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 | $31,285 | $15.04/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,459 | $24.26/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $71,652 | $34.45/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $89,817 | $43.18/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.
Galesburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Galesburg, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,085
$3,340.38/month · $1,541.71/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.6%
Gross Pay
$50,459
Federal Tax
-$4,017
State Tax
-$2,498
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,860
Net Pay
$40,085
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,204.92 | $50,459.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$334.72 | -$4,016.58 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$208.14 | -$2,497.72 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$260.70 | -$3,128.46 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$60.97 | -$731.66 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,340.38 | $40,084.59 |
Salary Comparison: Galesburg vs Other Cities
See how Galesburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galesburg, IL | $50,459 | 91.6 | $55,086 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| North Royalton, OH | $50,460 | 81.4 | $61,990 |
| Hartford, CT | $50,500 | 108 | $46,759 |
| Gainesville, FL | $50,500 | 94 | $53,723 |
| Topeka, KS | $50,500 | 84 | $60,119 |
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 Galesburg
Galesburg's cost of living index is 91.6 (national average = 100). Living in Galesburg is 8.400000000000006% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$228,000
Median Monthly Rent
$927
Annual Rent Cost
$11,124
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,085 annual take-home pay in Galesburg has the purchasing power of approximately $43,760 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,459 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Galesburg
Galesburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,459.
Salary Tips for Galesburg Workers
- Research top industries. Galesburg's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,459 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 Galesburg salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Galesburg-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 Galesburg indexed at 91.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Galesburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,459 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 Galesburg: 4.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Illinois.
- Housing context: median home price $228,000, median rent $927/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Galesburg, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Galesburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Galesburg 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. Galesburg'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 Galesburg, IL?
The median salary in Galesburg, IL is $50,459 per year, or $24 per hour. The average salary is $56,514. This is $8,925 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Galesburg, IL?
Galesburg's cost of living index is 91.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 8.400000000000006% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $228,000 and the median monthly rent is $927.
What are the best industries in Galesburg?
The top industries in Galesburg, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 4.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,459.
How does Galesburg's salary compare to other cities?
Galesburg's median salary of $50,459 is 15.0% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 91.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,086.
What is the minimum wage in Galesburg, IL?
The minimum wage in Galesburg, 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.