Paramedic Salary in Chicago, IL
Paramedics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $77,670 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,771 take-home, or $4,981 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paramedic salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,257
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,816
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,126
- Illinois income tax$3,700
- Take-home pay$59,771
Marginal rate: 22% 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.
Paramedic pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,000 | $24.04 | $40,025 | $3,335 |
| 25th percentile | $59,840 | $28.77 | $47,444 | $3,954 |
| Median (50th) | $77,670 | $37.34 | $59,771 | $4,981 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 | $78,829 | $6,569 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 | $78,829 | $6,569 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,670 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 paramedic's $59,771 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,697 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paramedic jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for paramedics, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $123,310 | $95,548 | $85,977 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $66,830 | $55,845 | $60,583 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $77,670 | $59,771 | $57,697 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $67,290 | $56,169 | $57,276 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $77,430 | $59,560 | $56,820 |
| 6 | Salt Lake City, UT | $71,440 | $56,839 | $56,350 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $63,450 | $53,162 | $55,183 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $79,550 | $61,095 | $54,276 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Chicago, IL?
The median paramedic salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $77,670 a year, or about $37.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,840 and $106,810.
What is a paramedic’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $77,670 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $59,771 a year ($4,981 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,700 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a paramedic?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $60,600. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,697 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paramedic 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) — 31% of a median paramedic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880