Human Resources Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Human Resources Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $156,770 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $110,803 take-home, or $9,234 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,359
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,720
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,273
- Illinois income tax$7,615
- Take-home pay$110,803
Marginal rate: 24% 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 →
Human Resources Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,230 | $44.82 | $69,947 | $5,829 |
| 25th percentile | $121,230 | $58.28 | $88,259 | $7,355 |
| Median (50th) | $156,770 | $75.37 | $110,803 | $9,234 |
| 75th percentile | $200,710 | $96.50 | $139,660 | $11,638 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $270,150+ | $129.88 | $183,183 | $15,265 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,770 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 human resources manager's $110,803 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,958 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 1.7× the national concentration of human resources manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for human resources managers, 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 | San Jose, CA | $220,460 | $144,650 | $130,996 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $209,340 | $137,845 | $119,230 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $184,990 | $128,708 | $118,881 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $171,360 | $128,391 | $115,529 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $170,940 | $121,291 | $114,661 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $161,250 | $113,734 | $113,668 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $185,100 | $127,938 | $113,659 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $177,960 | $120,744 | $110,892 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $156,770 | $110,803 | $106,958 |
*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: human resources managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- 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 human resources manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median human resources manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $156,770 a year, or about $75.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $121,230 and $200,710.
What is a human resources manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $156,770 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $110,803 a year ($9,234 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,615 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a human resources manager?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $149,280. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,958 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 human resources manager 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) — 17% of a median human resources manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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