School Psychologist Salary in Chicago, IL
School Psychologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $90,620 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,240 take-home, or $5,687 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school psychologist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,106
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,618
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,314
- Illinois income tax$4,341
- Take-home pay$68,240
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.
School Psychologist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,610 | $31.54 | $51,795 | $4,316 |
| 25th percentile | $78,750 | $37.86 | $60,477 | $5,040 |
| Median (50th) | $90,620 | $43.57 | $68,240 | $5,687 |
| 75th percentile | $110,820 | $53.28 | $81,451 | $6,788 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,120 | $63.04 | $94,541 | $7,878 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $90,620 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 school psychologist's $68,240 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,872 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 1.5× the national concentration of school psychologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school psychologists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #20 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside, CA | $139,400 | $95,999 | $90,189 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $129,340 | $94,687 | $89,512 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $131,920 | $91,679 | $85,947 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $131,070 | $91,189 | $81,501 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $115,570 | $90,133 | $81,104 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $114,520 | $84,299 | $80,679 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $130,540 | $90,882 | $78,609 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $117,540 | $85,625 | $76,068 |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | $90,620 | $68,240 | $65,872 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school psychologist make in Chicago, IL?
The median school psychologist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $90,620 a year, or about $43.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,750 and $110,820.
What is a school psychologist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $90,620 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $68,240 a year ($5,687 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,341 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a school psychologist?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $95,990. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,872 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #20 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school psychologist 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) — 27% of a median school psychologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Physicist — $137,140
- Materials Scientist — $133,340
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $104,550
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $101,630
- Microbiologist — $100,620
- Food Scientist and Technologist — $100,390
- Nuclear Technician — $99,990
- Urban and Regional Planner — $98,840
- Chemist — $90,920
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $85,680
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $85,390
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $85,310