Interpreter and Translator Salary in Chicago, IL
Interpreters and Translators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $59,660 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,308 take-home, or $3,942 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median interpreter and translator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,979
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,699
- Medicare (1.45%)$865
- Illinois income tax$2,808
- Take-home pay$47,308
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.
Interpreter and Translator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,290 | $18.89 | $31,949 | $2,662 |
| 25th percentile | $45,800 | $22.02 | $36,858 | $3,071 |
| Median (50th) | $59,660 | $28.68 | $47,308 | $3,942 |
| 75th percentile | $75,750 | $36.42 | $58,515 | $4,876 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,220 | $41.45 | $65,363 | $5,447 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,660 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 interpreter and translator's $47,308 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,667 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Interpreter and Translator jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for interpreters and translators, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #21 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $94,510 | $70,253 | $64,521 |
| 2 | Rochester, NY | $77,770 | $59,939 | $61,770 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $87,590 | $66,317 | $58,915 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $74,850 | $58,902 | $55,682 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $83,680 | $63,058 | $54,543 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $74,310 | $57,408 | $53,934 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $62,900 | $52,720 | $53,760 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $64,700 | $52,101 | $53,747 |
| 21 | Chicago, IL | $59,660 | $47,308 | $45,667 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreter and translator make in Chicago, IL?
The median interpreter and translator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $59,660 a year, or about $28.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,800 and $75,750.
What is a interpreter and translator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $59,660 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $47,308 a year ($3,942 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,808 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a interpreter and translator?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $60,170. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,667 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #21 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a interpreter and translator 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) — 39% of a median interpreter and translator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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