Baker Salary in Chicago, IL
Bakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $37,230 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,396 take-home, or $2,533 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,308
- Medicare (1.45%)$540
- Illinois income tax$1,698
- Take-home pay$30,396
Marginal rate: 12% 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 →
Baker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,370 | $15.56 | $26,732 | $2,228 |
| 25th percentile | $35,910 | $17.26 | $29,401 | $2,450 |
| Median (50th) | $37,230 | $17.90 | $30,396 | $2,533 |
| 75th percentile | $45,100 | $21.68 | $36,330 | $3,028 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,610 | $22.89 | $38,223 | $3,185 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,230 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 baker's $30,396 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,341 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× the national concentration of baker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $42,490 | $35,160 | $33,238 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,010 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $41,790 | $34,554 | $32,463 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $43,440 | $34,113 | $32,359 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $36,580 | $30,621 | $31,455 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,800 | $31,816 | $30,795 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $37,140 | $30,717 | $30,699 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $37,230 | $30,396 | $29,341 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: bakers
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods. Pastry chefs in restaurants and hotels are included with "Chefs and Head Cooks" (35-1011).
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Chicago, IL?
The median baker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,230 a year, or about $17.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,910 and $45,100.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $37,230 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $30,396 a year ($2,533 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,698 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,341 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker 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) — 61% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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