Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling Salary in Chicago, IL
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $80,570 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,668 take-home, or $5,139 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,895
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,995
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,168
- Illinois income tax$3,843
- Take-home pay$61,668
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 →
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,130 | $22.18 | $37,107 | $3,092 |
| 25th percentile | $57,680 | $27.73 | $45,816 | $3,818 |
| Median (50th) | $80,570 | $38.74 | $61,668 | $5,139 |
| 75th percentile | $103,050 | $49.54 | $76,369 | $6,364 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,680 | $61.38 | $92,360 | $7,697 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,570 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 entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling's $61,668 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,528 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 2.3× the national concentration of entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $94,390 | $70,705 | $62,813 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,570 | $61,668 | $59,528 |
*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: entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling make in Chicago, IL?
The median entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $80,570 a year, or about $38.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,680 and $103,050.
What is a entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $80,570 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $61,668 a year ($5,139 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,843 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $79,520. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,528 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling 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 entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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