Self-Enrichment Teacher Salary in Chicago, IL
Self-Enrichment Teachers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $45,020 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,270 take-home, or $3,022 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median self-enrichment teacher salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,222
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,791
- Medicare (1.45%)$653
- Illinois income tax$2,084
- Take-home pay$36,270
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.
Self-Enrichment Teacher pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,270 | $15.03 | $25,902 | $2,159 |
| 25th percentile | $35,730 | $17.18 | $29,265 | $2,439 |
| Median (50th) | $45,020 | $21.64 | $36,270 | $3,022 |
| 75th percentile | $60,810 | $29.24 | $48,176 | $4,015 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,210 | $39.52 | $62,740 | $5,228 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,020 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 self-enrichment teacher's $36,270 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,011 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 1.3× the national concentration of self-enrichment teacher jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for self-enrichment teachers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #19 of 25 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $55,490 | $44,509 | $44,483 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $59,760 | $47,759 | $43,863 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $58,330 | $46,741 | $42,329 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $59,600 | $47,447 | $42,152 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $59,470 | $47,573 | $41,149 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $53,790 | $41,523 | $39,388 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $48,770 | $39,414 | $37,721 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $49,040 | $39,954 | $37,456 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $45,020 | $36,270 | $35,011 |
*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 self-enrichment teacher make in Chicago, IL?
The median self-enrichment teacher salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $45,020 a year, or about $21.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,730 and $60,810.
What is a self-enrichment teacher’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $45,020 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $36,270 a year ($3,022 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,084 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a self-enrichment teacher?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $46,800. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,011 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #19 of 25 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a self-enrichment teacher 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) — 51% of a median self-enrichment teacher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $101,010
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $98,970
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $93,670
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $82,350
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary — $80,440
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $79,690
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $78,390
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,000
- Instructional Coordinator — $77,900
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $77,840
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $70,250
- Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $66,250