Illinois Median
$331,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$159.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+55% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#3 of 46
4,620 employed here
How much does a Chief Executive make in Illinois?
Chief Executives in Illinois take home a median of $331,920 annually — roughly $159.58 an hour — which runs 55% above the national median of $213,990.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $133,170 while the top 10% make $589,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $186,440 and $428,710 a year.
Chief Executive salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $133,170 | $64.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $186,440 | $89.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $331,920 | $159.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $428,710 | $206.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $589,720 | $283.52 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 3rd out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chief Executive salary in other states
Oregon $341,630Washington $339,810North Carolina $314,290Virginia $310,740New Jersey $310,440Connecticut $295,120Hawaii $281,640South Dakota $280,900New York $257,980Texas $257,850Michigan $255,560Indiana $254,180Maryland $248,660Rhode Island $235,360Pennsylvania $232,560California $218,600Nebraska $214,680Colorado $213,370Iowa $211,190Wisconsin $208,350Georgia $208,180Delaware $199,990Tennessee $198,830Minnesota $195,670Montana $182,340Kentucky $179,530Idaho $177,210Ohio $176,440Vermont $175,070Missouri $172,320Utah $171,880South Carolina $168,840New Hampshire $168,590Alaska $166,710Alabama $166,420North Dakota $164,560Oklahoma $163,790Kansas $158,100West Virginia $151,950Nevada $149,770Wyoming $147,940Mississippi $139,250Maine $138,770New Mexico $123,500Arkansas $119,990
Working as a Chief Executive in Illinois
Nationally, about 204,000 people work as Chief Executives in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($331,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chief Executive make in Illinois?
The median Chief Executive salary in Illinois is $331,920 per year, or about $159.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $133,170 at the entry level to $589,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Chief Executives about 55% more than the national median of $213,990. Illinois ranks 3rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Chief Executives?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $331,920 a year. About 4,620 Chief Executives are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chief Executive salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.