Retail Salesperson Salary in Chicago, IL
Retail Salespersons in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,820 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,333 take-home, or $2,444 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,118
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,221
- Medicare (1.45%)$519
- Illinois income tax$1,628
- Take-home pay$29,333
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 →
Retail Salesperson 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 | $33,800 | $16.25 | $27,810 | $2,317 |
| Median (50th) | $35,820 | $17.22 | $29,333 | $2,444 |
| 75th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 | $31,263 | $2,605 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,580 | $23.36 | $38,954 | $3,246 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,820 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 retail salesperson's $29,333 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,315 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.86).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #156 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 156 | Chicago, IL | $35,820 | $29,333 | $28,315 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Peoria, IL — $33,870
- Rockford, IL — $33,540
- Springfield, IL — $33,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Chicago, IL?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,820 a year, or about $17.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,800 and $38,380.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,820 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,333 a year ($2,444 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,628 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,315 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #156 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 63% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $112,150
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $100,760
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $91,070
- Advertising Sales Agent — $75,590
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $75,350
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $70,710
- Insurance Sales Agent — $69,240
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $61,790
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,900
- Parts Salesperson — $44,260
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,180
- Demonstrator and Product Promoter — $36,400