Illinois ranks above all five comparison states on average project manager pay. The Illinois mean of $111,230 exceeds Michigan ($104,690), Texas ($104,210), Ohio ($102,210), Wisconsin ($99,720), and Indiana ($98,560), so employers in Illinois should set offers with that premium in mind when candidates are weighing multi-state options.
Project manager salary in Illinois (2026)
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The average project manager salary in Illinois is $111,230 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $103,470 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Illinois employs 27,180 project managers, and the $7,760 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level project managers in Illinois typically earn around $65,300, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $163,910 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a project manager hire in Illinois, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $103,470 |
Average Annual Salary | $111,230 |
vs. National Average | 0.4% above the national mean of $110,740 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 27,180 employed project managers across Illinois.
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Project manager salary percentiles in Illinois
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $65,300 |
25th Percentile | $81,000 |
75th Percentile | $132,360 |
90th Percentile | $163,910 |
Employers hiring mid-career project managers in Illinois should expect offers in the $81,000 to $132,360 range to be competitive for most candidates. Senior specialists with deep domain experience regularly command $163,910 or more, so budget accordingly when the role requires that level of expertise.
Project manager salary by city in Illinois
City | Average Annual Salary |
Peoria | $121,160 |
Chicago | $113,740 |
Springfield | $101,100 |
Rockford | $99,180 |
Champaign | $95,530 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer, so remote or hybrid arrangements can open up lower-cost markets without sacrificing talent quality. Peoria posts the highest average at $121,160, while Champaign sits at $95,530, a spread of more than $25,000 across the state. If your role is location-flexible, anchoring compensation to the candidate's market rather than a single statewide figure will help you stay competitive without overpaying.
How Illinois compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Illinois | $111,230 | $103,470 |
Michigan | $104,690 | $100,970 |
Texas | $104,210 | $98,440 |
Ohio | $102,210 | $95,770 |
Wisconsin | $99,720 | $97,580 |
Indiana | $98,560 | $95,020 |
Illinois employers should expect to pay more for project managers than their counterparts in neighboring and peer states. The Illinois mean of $111,230 runs above Michigan at $104,690, Texas at $104,210, Ohio at $102,210, Wisconsin at $99,720, and Indiana at $98,560. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from employers in those states, Illinois compensation benchmarks will generally give you an edge on base pay.
Frequently asked questions about project manager salary in Illinois
How does Illinois compare to other states for project manager salary?
What do the top-earning project managers make in Illinois?
Project managers at the 90th percentile in Illinois earn $163,910 per year. Roles at that level typically involve complex programs, large teams, or specialized industry expertise, so budget for that range when you are recruiting senior talent with a strong track record.
What is the salary range for a project manager in Illinois?
The full salary range runs from $65,300 at the 10th percentile to $163,910 at the 90th percentile. Most hiring decisions will fall between the 25th percentile of $81,000 and the 75th percentile of $132,360, so use those figures as your practical budgeting band and adjust based on the seniority of the role you are filling.
What is the average project manager salary in Illinois?
The average project manager salary in Illinois is $111,230 per year. Because a segment of high-compensated roles pulls that figure above the median of $103,470, the median is the better anchor for most offers. Use $103,470 as your baseline and adjust upward based on experience, specialization, and the specific city where the role is based.
Project Manager salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 13-1082 (Project Management Specialists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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Project manager salary in Michigan (2026)
Michigan project managers earn a median $100,970 per year. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Michigan compares to neighboring states.
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Project manager salary in Indiana (2026)
Indiana project managers earn a median $95,020 annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to budget your next hire confidently.
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Project manager salary in Ohio (2026)
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Arizona project managers earn a median $99,050 and average $105,310. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Arizona compares to neighboring states.
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Project manager salaries in New Jersey average $127,900, 15.5% above the national mean. See pay by city, percentile, and how NJ compares to neighboring states.
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