📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

ESL Teacher Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$63,441
per year
Median
$61,604
per year
Hourly
$30.5
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$42,855
25th Percentile — Junior$53,834
50th Percentile — Median$61,604
75th Percentile — Senior$78,536
90th Percentile — Top Earners$87,404
💡 Top-earning ESL Teachers in Illinois make up to $87,404 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
$51.6k
2021
$53.8k
2022
$56.1k
2023
$58.4k
2024
$60.9k
2025
$63.4k
2026
📈 ESL Teacher salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 4.2% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
ESL Teacher Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $71,054 +12.0% High
Aurora $64,710 +2.0% High
🔍
ESL Teacher Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for ESL Teachers. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $63,441 per year, Illinois's ESL Teacher 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 $42,855–$53,834, while experienced ESL Teachers can command $78,536–$87,404.

Looking ahead, the ESL Teacher profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 4.2% 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 ESL Teacher salary in Illinois is $63,441 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $60,420.
  • Major metro areas typically pay ESL Teachers 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 ESL Teacher employment.
  • At $63,441/year, Illinois ESL Teacher salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $60,420/year.