Paramedic Salary in Chicago, IL
Paramedics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $77,670 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,771 take-home, or $4,981 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paramedic salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,257
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,816
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,126
- Illinois income tax$3,700
- Take-home pay$59,771
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 →
Paramedic pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,000 | $24.04 | $40,025 | $3,335 |
| 25th percentile | $59,840 | $28.77 | $47,444 | $3,954 |
| Median (50th) | $77,670 | $37.34 | $59,771 | $4,981 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 | $78,829 | $6,569 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 | $78,829 | $6,569 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,670 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 paramedic's $59,771 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,697 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paramedic jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for paramedics, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $77,670 | $59,771 | $57,697 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $79,550 | $61,095 | $54,276 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: paramedics
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Chicago, IL?
The median paramedic salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $77,670 a year, or about $37.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,840 and $106,810.
What is a paramedic’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $77,670 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $59,771 a year ($4,981 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,700 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a paramedic?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $60,600. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,697 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paramedic 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) — 31% of a median paramedic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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