Cashier Salary in Chicago, IL
Cashiers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,010 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,722 take-home, or $2,394 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,021
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,171
- Medicare (1.45%)$508
- Illinois income tax$1,588
- Take-home pay$28,722
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 →
Cashier 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 | $32,210 | $15.49 | $26,611 | $2,218 |
| Median (50th) | $35,010 | $16.83 | $28,722 | $2,394 |
| 75th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 | $30,306 | $2,525 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,280 | $19.85 | $33,450 | $2,787 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,010 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 cashier's $28,722 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,726 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #87 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 87 | Chicago, IL | $35,010 | $28,722 | $27,726 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Champaign, IL — $32,130
- Springfield, IL — $31,920
- Rockford, IL — $31,680
- Peoria, IL — $31,200
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Chicago, IL?
The median cashier salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,010 a year, or about $16.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,210 and $37,110.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,010 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $28,722 a year ($2,394 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,588 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,726 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #87 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier 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) — 64% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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