📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Compensation and Benefits Specialist Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$78,351
per year
Median
$74,088
per year
Hourly
$37.67
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,146
25th Percentile — Junior$65,801
50th Percentile — Median$74,088
75th Percentile — Senior$101,026
90th Percentile — Top Earners$114,548
💡 Top-earning Compensation and Benefits Specialists in Illinois make up to $114,548 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$66.0k
2021
$68.3k
2022
$70.7k
2023
$73.1k
2024
$75.7k
2025
$78.4k
2026
📈 Compensation and Benefits Specialist salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Compensation and Benefits Specialist Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $87,753 +12.0% High
Aurora $79,918 +2.0% High
🔍
Compensation and Benefits Specialist Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Compensation and Benefits Specialists. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $78,351 per year, Illinois's Compensation and Benefits Specialist salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $50,146–$65,801, while experienced Compensation and Benefits Specialists can command $101,026–$114,548.

Looking ahead, the Compensation and Benefits Specialist profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Compensation and Benefits Specialist salary in Illinois is $78,351 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $74,620.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Compensation and Benefits Specialists the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Compensation and Benefits Specialist employment.
  • At $78,351/year, Illinois Compensation and Benefits Specialist salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $74,620/year.