Baker Salary in Chicago, IL
Bakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $37,230 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,396 take-home, or $2,533 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,308
- Medicare (1.45%)$540
- Illinois income tax$1,698
- Take-home pay$30,396
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.
Baker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,370 | $15.56 | $26,732 | $2,228 |
| 25th percentile | $35,910 | $17.26 | $29,401 | $2,450 |
| Median (50th) | $37,230 | $17.90 | $30,396 | $2,533 |
| 75th percentile | $45,100 | $21.68 | $36,330 | $3,028 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,610 | $22.89 | $38,223 | $3,185 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,230 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 baker's $30,396 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,341 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 1.4× the national concentration of baker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #79 of 98 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga, TN | $40,880 | $35,027 | $38,296 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 |
| 3 | Spokane, WA | $42,770 | $36,546 | $36,420 |
| 4 | Bakersfield, CA | $42,470 | $35,064 | $34,756 |
| 5 | Des Moines, IA | $37,680 | $31,676 | $34,543 |
| 6 | Stockton, CA | $43,760 | $36,033 | $34,288 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $47,150 | $37,986 | $34,234 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $39,890 | $34,232 | $34,158 |
| 79 | Chicago, IL | $37,230 | $30,396 | $29,341 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 98 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Chicago, IL?
The median baker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,230 a year, or about $17.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,910 and $45,100.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $37,230 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $30,396 a year ($2,533 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,698 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,341 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #79 of 98 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker 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) — 61% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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