Salary & Cost of Living in Rock Island, IL
Rock Island, IL: $50,981 median salary, cost of living index 93.6, $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,981
$25/hr
Cost of Living
93.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
4%
rate
Rock Island, IL Overview
Population
36,632
Median Salary
$50,981
Average Salary
$57,099
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Rent
$922/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Rock Island is located in Illinois with a population of 36,632. The median household salary is $50,981 per year ($25/hour), which is $8,403 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Rock Island Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Rock Island, IL based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,981 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 | $31,608 | $15.20/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,981 | $24.51/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $72,393 | $34.80/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $90,746 | $43.63/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.
Rock Island Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Rock Island, IL, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,478
$3,373.18/month · $1,556.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.6%
Gross Pay
$50,981
Federal Tax
-$4,079
State Tax
-$2,524
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,900
Net Pay
$40,478
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,248.42 | $50,981.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$339.94 | -$4,079.22 |
| Illinois State Tax (4.95%) | -$210.30 | -$2,523.56 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$263.40 | -$3,160.82 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$61.60 | -$739.22 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,373.18 | $40,478.17 |
Salary Comparison: Rock Island vs Other Cities
See how Rock Island's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Island, IL | $50,981 | 93.6 | $54,467 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Romeoville, IL | $50,986 | 89.1 | $57,223 |
| Holland, MI | $50,974 | 82.2 | $62,012 |
| Gary, IN | $50,954 | 87.4 | $58,300 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | $50,941 | 97.2 | $52,408 |
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 Rock Island
Rock Island's cost of living index is 93.6 (national average = 100). Living in Rock Island is 6.400000000000006% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$226,000
Median Monthly Rent
$922
Annual Rent Cost
$11,064
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,478 annual take-home pay in Rock Island has the purchasing power of approximately $43,246 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,981 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Rock Island
Rock Island's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,981.
Salary Tips for Rock Island Workers
- Research top industries. Rock Island's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,981 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 Rock Island salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Rock Island-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 Rock Island indexed at 93.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Rock Island's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,981 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 Rock Island: 4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Illinois.
- Housing context: median home price $226,000, median rent $922/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Rock Island, IL:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Rock Island unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Rock Island 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. Rock Island'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 Rock Island, IL?
The median salary in Rock Island, IL is $50,981 per year, or $25 per hour. The average salary is $57,099. This is $8,403 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Rock Island, IL?
Rock Island's cost of living index is 93.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.400000000000006% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $226,000 and the median monthly rent is $922.
What are the best industries in Rock Island?
The top industries in Rock Island, IL include Finance, Manufacturing, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,981.
How does Rock Island's salary compare to other cities?
Rock Island's median salary of $50,981 is 14.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 93.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,467.
What is the minimum wage in Rock Island, IL?
The minimum wage in Rock Island, 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.