Data Entry Keyer Salary in Chicago, IL
Data Entry Keyers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $44,650 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,991 take-home, or $2,999 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median data entry keyer salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,178
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,768
- Medicare (1.45%)$647
- Illinois income tax$2,065
- Take-home pay$35,991
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 →
Data Entry Keyer 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 | $38,000 | $18.27 | $30,977 | $2,581 |
| Median (50th) | $44,650 | $21.47 | $35,991 | $2,999 |
| 75th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 | $39,180 | $3,265 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,660 | $29.64 | $48,816 | $4,068 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,650 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 data entry keyer's $35,991 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,742 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Data Entry Keyer jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for data entry keyers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $43,110 | $36,819 | $35,715 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,160 | $36,767 | $35,587 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $44,650 | $35,991 | $34,742 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $39,520 | $33,934 | $34,406 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,040 | $38,493 | $33,895 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $45,350 | $36,767 | $32,663 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: data entry keyers
Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -25.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data entry keyer make in Chicago, IL?
The median data entry keyer salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $44,650 a year, or about $21.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,000 and $48,880.
What is a data entry keyer’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $44,650 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $35,991 a year ($2,999 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,065 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a data entry keyer?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $41,340. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,742 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a data entry keyer 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) — 51% of a median data entry keyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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