Health Education Specialist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Health Education Specialists in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$60,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $64,070
State Rank
#34 of 51
1,010 employed here

How much does a Health Education Specialist make in Illinois?

A Health Education Specialist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $60,120 per year, or about $28.90 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $64,070 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $41,480 while the top 10% make $105,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,670 and $77,100 a year.

Health Education Specialist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,480$19.94
25th percentile (early career)$49,670$23.88
50th percentile (median)$60,120$28.90
75th percentile (experienced)$77,100$37.07
90th percentile (top earners)$105,660$50.80

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for Health Education Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$104,470
2District of Columbia$103,330
3Georgia$99,400
4Pennsylvania$80,670
5Minnesota$78,400

Working as a Health Education Specialist in Illinois

Nationally, about 66,000 people work as Health Education Specialists in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($60,120) 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 Health Education Specialist make in Illinois?
The median Health Education Specialist salary in Illinois is $60,120 per year, or about $28.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,480 at the entry level to $105,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Health Education Specialists about 6% less than the national median of $64,070. Illinois ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Health Education Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,120 a year. About 1,010 Health Education Specialists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Health Education Specialist 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.