Order Clerk Salary in Chicago, IL
Order Clerks in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $47,890 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,434 take-home, or $3,203 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median order clerk salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,567
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,969
- Medicare (1.45%)$694
- Illinois income tax$2,226
- Take-home pay$38,434
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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Order Clerk pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,030 | $17.32 | $29,491 | $2,458 |
| 25th percentile | $44,240 | $21.27 | $35,682 | $2,973 |
| Median (50th) | $47,890 | $23.02 | $38,434 | $3,203 |
| 75th percentile | $52,680 | $25.33 | $42,046 | $3,504 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,400 | $30.00 | $49,374 | $4,115 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,890 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 order clerk's $38,434 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,100 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 1.4× the national concentration of order clerk jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for order clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $47,890 | $38,434 | $37,100 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $47,820 | $38,618 | $34,308 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,590 | $38,156 | $33,598 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
About the job: order clerks
Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.
- Typical education
- Some college, no degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -17.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a order clerk make in Chicago, IL?
The median order clerk salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,890 a year, or about $23.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,240 and $52,680.
What is a order clerk’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $47,890 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $38,434 a year ($3,203 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,226 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a order clerk?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $46,170. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,100 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a order clerk 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) — 48% of a median order clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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