SOC 27-3099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Media and Communication Workers, All Other — Chicago
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Median pay for this occupation in Chicago, IL comes to $89,620 a year, ahead of the national median of $73,620 by 21.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Chicago, IL comes to $89,620 a year, ahead of the national median of $73,620 by 21.7%. Pay ranges from under $61,860 at the tenth percentile to more than $131,400 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,760 to $99,290.
Of the 716 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 186th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,860 | −16.0% |
| 25th | $62,760 | −14.8% |
| Median (50th) | $89,620 | +21.7% |
| 75th | $99,290 | +34.9% |
| 90th | $131,400 | +78.5% |
| Mean | $86,940 | +18.1% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chicago sit close to the national average, so $89,620 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$89,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$89,620US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $89,620 a year, 21.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,860 to $131,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Media and Communication Workers, All Other in Chicago, IL?
The median annual wage is $89,620, or $43.09 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $73,620, so pay in Chicago, IL is 21.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chicago, IL earns more than $131,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,860 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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