Library Assistants, Clerical Salary in Chicago, IL
Library Assistants, Clerical in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,160 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,835 take-home, or $2,403 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median library assistants, clerical salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,039
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,180
- Medicare (1.45%)$510
- Illinois income tax$1,596
- Take-home pay$28,835
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.
Library Assistants, Clerical pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $31,600 | $15.19 | $26,151 | $2,179 |
| Median (50th) | $35,160 | $16.90 | $28,835 | $2,403 |
| 75th percentile | $38,360 | $18.44 | $31,248 | $2,604 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,490 | $22.35 | $37,378 | $3,115 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,160 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 library assistants, clerical's $28,835 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,835 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 1.8× the national concentration of library assistants, clerical jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for library assistants, clerical, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,770 | $39,026 | $34,365 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $35,160 | $28,835 | $27,835 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $37,860 | $31,153 | $27,676 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a library assistants, clerical make in Chicago, IL?
The median library assistants, clerical salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,160 a year, or about $16.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,600 and $38,360.
What is a library assistants, clerical’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,160 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $28,835 a year ($2,403 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,596 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a library assistants, clerical?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $36,910. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,835 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a library assistants, clerical 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) — 64% of a median library assistants, clerical’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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