Orderly Salary in Chicago, IL
Orderlies in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $39,640 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,213 take-home, or $2,684 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median orderly salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,577
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,458
- Medicare (1.45%)$575
- Illinois income tax$1,817
- Take-home pay$32,213
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.
Orderly pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,610 | $17.12 | $29,175 | $2,431 |
| 25th percentile | $38,030 | $18.28 | $30,999 | $2,583 |
| Median (50th) | $39,640 | $19.06 | $32,213 | $2,684 |
| 75th percentile | $44,660 | $21.47 | $35,998 | $3,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,100 | $21.68 | $36,330 | $3,028 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,640 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 orderly's $32,213 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,095 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Orderly jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for orderlies, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #15 of 25 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $69,870 | $54,698 | $47,311 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $47,440 | $38,785 | $36,438 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $49,760 | $40,480 | $35,645 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $40,420 | $33,495 | $35,001 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $43,570 | $35,851 | $34,958 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $37,740 | $32,249 | $34,335 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $38,370 | $33,010 | $34,265 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $37,360 | $31,954 | $33,470 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $39,640 | $32,213 | $31,095 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 25 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a orderly make in Chicago, IL?
The median orderly salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $39,640 a year, or about $19.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,030 and $44,660.
What is a orderly’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $39,640 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $32,213 a year ($2,684 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,817 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a orderly?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $38,290. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,095 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #15 of 25 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a orderly 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) — 57% of a median orderly’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $72,230
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $67,840
- Massage Therapist — $61,200
- Dental Assistant — $48,950
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $48,630
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $48,440
- Medical Assistant — $47,270
- Phlebotomist — $47,190
- Nursing Assistant — $46,940
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $39,280
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,700
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180