Salary report · Chicago, IL

What is the average HR Manager salary in Chicago, IL?

HR Managers in Chicago earn a median of $137,800 per year — about 6% above the national average. Pay ranges from $99,200 (25th percentile) to $213,600 (90th percentile).

25th percentile
$99,200
Median
$137,800
75th percentile
$176,400
90th percentile
$213,600
YoY change
+3.5%

HR Manager salary by experience level

Entry · 0–2 yrs
$89,600
Mid · 3–5 yrs
$137,800
Senior · 6–8 yrs
$176,400
Lead · 8+ yrs
$199,800

How Chicago pay compares

Chicago median$137,800
National median$130,000
Cost-of-living adjusted(COL index 107)$128,800

Cost-of-living adjusted is the Chicago salary translated into equivalent purchasing power vs the US average (COL index 100). Useful for comparing offers across cities.

5-year salary trend

$120K
2022
$124K
2023
$129K
2024
$133K
2025
$138K
2026

Trend extrapolated from BLS May 2024 BLS OEWS OEWS data using the latest year-over-year growth rate of 3.5%.

HR Manager job market in Chicago

Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a growing tech scene. Salaries are competitive without the coastal cost of living.

An estimated 9,400 hr managers work in the Chicago metro. Daily responsibilities typically include:

  • Lead hiring efforts
  • Handle employee relations
  • Run performance reviews
  • Manage benefits programs
  • Ensure HR compliance

Related job salaries in Chicago

HR Manager salary in other cities

FAQ

How much does a HR Manager make in Chicago, IL?+

HR Managers in Chicago earn a median of $137,800 per year — about 6% above the national average of $130,000.

What's the entry-level HR Manager salary in Chicago?+

Entry-level HR Managers in Chicago typically earn around $89,600 per year. Salaries scale to about $199,800 at the senior level with 8+ years of experience.

Is $137,800 a good HR Manager salary in Chicago?+

$137,800 is the median, meaning half of HR Managers in Chicago earn more and half earn less. Adjusted for the city's cost-of-living index of 107, that's roughly $128,800 in nationally-equivalent purchasing power.

How fast is HR Manager pay growing in Chicago?+

HR Manager salaries in Chicago grew about 3.5% year-over-year in the latest BLS data. The 10-year national outlook for this role is +5%.

Where do HR Managers in Chicago get paid the most?+

The 90th percentile HR Manager salary in Chicago is around $213,600. These typically include senior, lead, or specialist roles at major employers.

Are you being paid fairly in Chicago?

Run a free comparison against BLS data — see if your salary is below, at, or above the Chicago median.

Check my salary →

Stay Ahead With RealProfits

Get practical insights, new tools, and smarter ways to think about money, work, and your future.