North Chicago Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
North Chicago, IL: $24.67/hr median hourly wage, $51,309 median annual salary, cost of living index 93.3, and $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Illinois taxes.
North Chicago Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in North Chicago, IL is $24.67/hr, equivalent to $51,309 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.30/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.03/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.00/hr.
Median Salary
$51,309
$24.67/hr
Cost of Living
93.3
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
North Chicago, IL Overview
Population
29,887
Median Salary
$51,309
Average Salary
$57,466
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$241,000
Median Rent
$979/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
North Chicago is located in Illinois with a population of 29,887. The median household salary is $51,309 per year ($24.67/hour), which is $8,075 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
North Chicago Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in North Chicago, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $51,309 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 | $31,812 | $15.30/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $51,309 | $24.67/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $72,859 | $35.03/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $91,330 | $43.91/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.
North Chicago Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in North Chicago, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,867
$3,405.58/month · $1,571.81/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.4%
Gross Pay
$51,309
Federal Tax
-$3,977
State Tax
-$2,540
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,925
Net Pay
$40,867
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,275.75 | $51,309.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$331.42 | -$3,977.08 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$211.65 | -$2,539.80 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$265.10 | -$3,181.16 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$62.00 | -$743.98 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,405.58 | $40,866.99 |
Salary Comparison: North Chicago vs Other Cities
See how North Chicago's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Chicago, IL | $51,309 | 93.3 | $54,994 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| New Bern, NC | $51,310 | 94.9 | $54,067 |
| Park Ridge, IL | $51,323 | 87.6 | $58,588 |
| Plainfield, IL | $51,251 | 84.3 | $60,796 |
| Beloit, WI | $51,236 | 82.4 | $62,180 |
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 North Chicago
North Chicago's cost of living index is 93.3 (national average = 100). Living in North Chicago is 6.700000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$241,000
Median Monthly Rent
$979
Annual Rent Cost
$11,748
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,867 annual take-home pay in North Chicago has the purchasing power of approximately $43,802 in an average-cost US area. Your $51,309 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in North Chicago
North Chicago's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $51,309.
Salary Tips for North Chicago Workers
- Research top industries. North Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $51,309 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 North Chicago salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the North Chicago-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 North Chicago indexed at 93.3.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of North Chicago's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $51,309 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 North Chicago: 4.2%, 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 $241,000, median rent $979/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for North Chicago, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — North Chicago unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — North Chicago 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. North Chicago'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in North Chicago, IL?
The median hourly wage in North Chicago, IL is $24.67 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $51,309 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.30/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.03/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in North Chicago, IL?
The median salary in North Chicago, IL is $51,309 per year, or $24.67 per hour. The average salary is $57,466. This is $8,075 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in North Chicago, IL?
North Chicago's cost of living index is 93.3 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.700000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $241,000 and the median monthly rent is $979.
What are the best industries in North Chicago?
The top industries in North Chicago, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $51,309.
How does North Chicago's salary compare to other cities?
North Chicago's median salary of $51,309 is 13.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 93.3), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,994.
What is the minimum wage in North Chicago, IL?
The minimum wage in North Chicago, 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.