Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist Salary in Chicago, IL
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $80,400 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,556 take-home, or $5,130 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,858
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,985
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,166
- Illinois income tax$3,835
- Take-home pay$61,556
Marginal rate: 22% 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 →
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,910 | $24.00 | $39,957 | $3,330 |
| 25th percentile | $62,160 | $29.88 | $49,193 | $4,099 |
| Median (50th) | $80,400 | $38.65 | $61,556 | $5,130 |
| 75th percentile | $105,710 | $50.82 | $78,109 | $6,509 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,260 | $67.43 | $100,336 | $8,361 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,400 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 market research analyst and marketing specialist's $61,556 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,420 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for market research analysts and marketing specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #37 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $141,960 | $97,477 | $88,276 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $123,250 | $86,672 | $74,968 |
| 3 | Durham, NC | $93,110 | $71,127 | $72,896 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $102,170 | $80,707 | $72,622 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $99,040 | $74,855 | $70,764 |
| 6 | Fayetteville, AR | $83,000 | $64,196 | $70,273 |
| 7 | Boulder, CO | $97,600 | $73,906 | $70,251 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $102,390 | $75,962 | $70,162 |
| 37 | Chicago, IL | $80,400 | $61,556 | $59,420 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: market research analysts and marketing specialists
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make in Chicago, IL?
The median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $80,400 a year, or about $38.65 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,160 and $105,710.
What is a market research analyst and marketing specialist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $80,400 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $61,556 a year ($5,130 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,835 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a market research analyst and marketing specialist?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $78,760. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,420 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #37 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a market research analyst and marketing specialist 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) — 30% of a median market research analyst and marketing specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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