Financial Examiner Salary in Chicago, IL
Financial Examiners in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $98,470 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,374 take-home, or $6,115 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median financial examiner salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,833
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,105
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,428
- Illinois income tax$4,729
- Take-home pay$73,374
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.
Financial Examiner pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,330 | $30.45 | $50,076 | $4,173 |
| 25th percentile | $84,190 | $40.48 | $64,035 | $5,336 |
| Median (50th) | $98,470 | $47.34 | $73,374 | $6,115 |
| 75th percentile | $132,920 | $63.90 | $95,682 | $7,974 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,680 | $83.02 | $120,890 | $10,074 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,470 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 financial examiner's $73,374 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,828 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 1.6× the national concentration of financial examiner jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for financial examiners, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 30 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $157,560 | $108,534 | $99,679 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $133,380 | $95,602 | $84,932 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $105,240 | $79,176 | $81,333 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $131,820 | $91,622 | $79,249 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $97,910 | $74,704 | $78,909 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $100,540 | $74,593 | $76,226 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $89,300 | $68,393 | $73,904 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $104,260 | $76,611 | $73,086 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $98,470 | $73,374 | $70,828 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 30 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a financial examiner make in Chicago, IL?
The median financial examiner salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $98,470 a year, or about $47.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,190 and $132,920.
What is a financial examiner’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $98,470 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $73,374 a year ($6,115 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,729 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a financial examiner?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $94,160. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,828 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a financial examiner 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) — 25% of a median financial examiner’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Personal Financial Advisor — $113,210
- Financial Risk Specialist — $105,370
- Project Management Specialist — $105,320
- Management Analyst — $105,090
- Labor Relations Specialist — $103,570
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,750
- Insurance Underwriter — $99,840
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents — $93,590
- Credit Analyst — $92,900
- Cost Estimator — $83,640
- Accountant and Auditor — $82,360
- Compliance Officer — $82,020