Project Management Specialist Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$103,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $102,320
State Rank
#15 of 51
27,180 employed here

How much does a Project Management Specialist make in Illinois?

A Project Management Specialist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $103,470 per year, or about $49.75 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $102,320 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $65,300 while the top 10% make $163,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,000 and $132,360 a year.

Project Management Specialist salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,300$31.39
25th percentile (early career)$81,000$38.94
50th percentile (median)$103,470$49.75
75th percentile (experienced)$132,360$63.63
90th percentile (top earners)$163,910$78.80

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Project Management Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$124,160
2New Jersey$122,980
3Delaware$122,190
4New York$121,040
5California$120,910

Working as a Project Management Specialist in Illinois

Nationally, about 1,067,000 people work as Project Management Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($103,470) 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 Project Management Specialist make in Illinois?
The median Project Management Specialist salary in Illinois is $103,470 per year, or about $49.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,300 at the entry level to $163,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Project Management Specialists about 1% more than the national median of $102,320. Illinois ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Project Management Specialists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $103,470 a year. About 27,180 Project Management Specialists 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 Project Management 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.