Public Safety Telecommunicator Salary in Chicago, IL
Public Safety Telecommunicators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $66,980 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,780 take-home, or $4,398 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public safety telecommunicator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,906
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,153
- Medicare (1.45%)$971
- Illinois income tax$3,171
- Take-home pay$52,780
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 →
Public Safety Telecommunicator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,170 | $18.83 | $31,859 | $2,655 |
| 25th percentile | $52,800 | $25.38 | $42,136 | $3,511 |
| Median (50th) | $66,980 | $32.20 | $52,780 | $4,398 |
| 75th percentile | $83,000 | $39.90 | $63,257 | $5,271 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,710 | $47.46 | $73,531 | $6,128 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,980 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 public safety telecommunicator's $52,780 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,948 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Public Safety Telecommunicator jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for public safety telecommunicators, 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 | $66,980 | $52,780 | $50,948 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $61,450 | $48,834 | $43,384 |
*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: public safety telecommunicators
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public safety telecommunicator make in Chicago, IL?
The median public safety telecommunicator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $66,980 a year, or about $32.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,800 and $83,000.
What is a public safety telecommunicator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $66,980 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $52,780 a year ($4,398 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,171 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a public safety telecommunicator?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $53,040. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,948 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 public safety telecommunicator 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) — 35% of a median public safety telecommunicator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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