Project Management Specialist salary in Illinois
Project Management Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $103,470 a year ($49.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,910 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,320. Illinois ranks 15th of 51 states for project management specialists pay. There are 4.5 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $111,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| 25th percentile | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Median | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| 75th percentile | $132,360 | $63.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,910 | $78.80 |
| Average (mean) | $111,230 | $53.47 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $8,622.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,311.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,979.62 |
| Weekly | $1,989.81 |
| Hourly | $49.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Project Management Specialist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $123,730 | 730 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,320 | 21,040 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,880 | 650 |
| Decatur, IL | $102,870 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IL | $101,110 | 460 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,510 | 10,450 |
| Springfield, IL | $100,030 | 490 |
| Kankakee, IL | $95,790 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $94,690 | 390 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $90,770 | 310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $78,150 | 200 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $78,090 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Fundraiser | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,180 | $50.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Illinois?
The median salary for project management specialists in Illinois is $103,470 a year, or $49.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of project management specialists in Illinois earn at least $163,910 a year. The top 25% earn $132,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,300 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $81,000 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Illinois?
About 27,180 project management specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.