Human Resources Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Human Resources Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $156,770 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $110,803 take-home, or $9,234 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,359
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,720
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,273
- Illinois income tax$7,615
- Take-home pay$110,803
Marginal rate: 24% 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.
Human Resources Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,230 | $44.82 | $69,947 | $5,829 |
| 25th percentile | $121,230 | $58.28 | $88,259 | $7,355 |
| Median (50th) | $156,770 | $75.37 | $110,803 | $9,234 |
| 75th percentile | $200,710 | $96.50 | $139,660 | $11,638 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $270,150+ | $129.88 | $183,183 | $15,265 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,770 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 human resources manager's $110,803 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,958 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 1.7× the national concentration of human resources manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for human resources managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #28 of 69 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $220,460 | $144,650 | $130,996 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $191,190 | $133,038 | $124,493 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $209,340 | $137,845 | $119,230 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $184,990 | $128,708 | $118,881 |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $160,580 | $115,124 | $117,989 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $158,930 | $114,062 | $117,169 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $171,360 | $128,391 | $115,529 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $138,560 | $105,972 | $114,963 |
| 28 | Chicago, IL | $156,770 | $110,803 | $106,958 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 69 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median human resources manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $156,770 a year, or about $75.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $121,230 and $200,710.
What is a human resources manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $156,770 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $110,803 a year ($9,234 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,615 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a human resources manager?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $149,280. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,958 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #28 of 69 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources manager 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) — 17% of a median human resources manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive — $239,200+
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,760
- Financial Manager — $168,810
- Natural Sciences Manager — $167,040
- Marketing Manager — $165,340
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $163,430
- Sales Manager — $158,690
- Compensation and Benefits Manager — $155,340
- Purchasing Manager — $155,080
- Managers, All Other — $145,370
- Training and Development Manager — $133,800
- Public Relations Manager — $133,210