Paramedic salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Paramedics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $77,670 a year ($37.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 28% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $60,660. There are 0.57 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| 25th percentile | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Median | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| Average (mean) | $83,400 | $40.10 |
Half of paramedics earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,472.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,236.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,987.31 |
| Weekly | $1,493.65 |
| Hourly | $37.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $63,200 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,050 | 1,890 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $61,770 | 810 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $60,520 | 90 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $59,660 | 60 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $59,160 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $59,100 | 90 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $58,770 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $55,760 | 490 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $53,980 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,660 | 130 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,650 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,100 | 60 |
| Peoria, IL | $49,440 | 210 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,320 | 650 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
See Paramedic pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Surgical Technologist | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for paramedics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $77,670 a year, or $37.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $106,810 a year. The top 25% earn $106,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,000 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $59,840 or less.
How many paramedics work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,560 paramedics are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.