Library Assistants, Clerical Salary in Chicago, IL
Library Assistants, Clerical in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,160 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,835 take-home, or $2,403 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median library assistants, clerical salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,039
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,180
- Medicare (1.45%)$510
- Illinois income tax$1,596
- Take-home pay$28,835
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 →
Library Assistants, Clerical 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 | $31,600 | $15.19 | $26,151 | $2,179 |
| Median (50th) | $35,160 | $16.90 | $28,835 | $2,403 |
| 75th percentile | $38,360 | $18.44 | $31,248 | $2,604 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,490 | $22.35 | $37,378 | $3,115 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,160 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 library assistants, clerical's $28,835 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,835 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 1.8× the national concentration of library assistants, clerical jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for library assistants, clerical, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,770 | $39,026 | $34,365 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $35,160 | $28,835 | $27,835 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $37,860 | $31,153 | $27,676 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
About the job: library assistants, clerical
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
- 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
- -6.4% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library assistants, clerical make in Chicago, IL?
The median library assistants, clerical salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,160 a year, or about $16.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,600 and $38,360.
What is a library assistants, clerical’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,160 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $28,835 a year ($2,403 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,596 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a library assistants, clerical?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $36,910. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,835 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a library assistants, clerical 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 library assistants, clerical’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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