Advertising Sales Agent Salary in Chicago, IL
Advertising Sales Agents in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $75,590 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,411 take-home, or $4,868 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median advertising sales agent salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,800
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,687
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,096
- Illinois income tax$3,597
- Take-home pay$58,411
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Advertising Sales Agent pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $51,730 | $24.87 | $41,329 | $3,444 |
| Median (50th) | $75,590 | $36.34 | $58,411 | $4,868 |
| 75th percentile | $100,620 | $48.38 | $74,780 | $6,232 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,410 | $77.60 | $113,745 | $9,479 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,590 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median advertising sales agent's $58,411 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,384 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Advertising Sales Agent jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for advertising sales agents, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $105,320 | $82,923 | $74,616 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $99,010 | $73,682 | $65,459 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $75,590 | $58,411 | $56,384 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $80,360 | $61,075 | $53,779 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $61,150 | $51,314 | $49,776 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: advertising sales agents
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -7.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a advertising sales agent make in Chicago, IL?
The median advertising sales agent salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $75,590 a year, or about $36.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,730 and $100,620.
What is a advertising sales agent’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $75,590 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $58,411 a year ($4,868 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,597 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a advertising sales agent?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $64,820. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,384 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a advertising sales agent afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median advertising sales agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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