How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Chicago, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Illinois.
BLS OES May 2025 · Chicago · Naperville · Elgin metro area
A typical Paramedic in Chicago, Illinois earns $37.34 per hour, or $77,670 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,473 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $50,000, and the top 10% of earners make over $106,810.
That pay is 28% above the Illinois figure of $60,660 and 28% above the national figure of $60,600. Chicago ranks 1st of 4 metro areas in Illinois for Paramedic pay. About 2,560 Paramedics work in the Chicago · Naperville · Elgin area.
Paramedic pay in Chicago at a glance
- Typical pay is $37.34 an hour, or $77,670 a year.
- That is 28% above the Illinois figure, ranking 1st of 4 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $50,000; the top 10% make over $106,810.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Chicago?
Pay in Chicago runs from entry-level positions at around $24.04 an hour to more than $51.35 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Illinois and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Chicago
| Career stage | Chicago | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $50,000$24.04 an hour | $47,210$22.70 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $59,840$28.77 an hour | $49,650$23.87 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $77,670$37.34 an hour | $60,660$29.16 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $106,810$51.35 an hour | $106,810$51.35 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $106,810$51.35 an hour | $106,810$51.35 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Chicago · Naperville · Elgin area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Chicago
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Chicago · Naperville · Elgin area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Chicago was $47,670 a year. By 2025 it had reached $77,670.
How Chicago compares with other Illinois cities
Chicago pays Paramedics the most of any metro area in Illinois. The lowest-paying area in the state is Peoria at $49,440.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chicago | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $77,670 | $37.34 | this city | 2,560 |
| 2 | Moline metro incl. Rock Island | $51,660 | $24.84 | -33% | 130 |
| 3 | Champaign metro incl. Urbana | $50,100 | $24.09 | -35% | 60 |
| 4 | Peoria | $49,440 | $23.77 | -36% | 210 |
Every metro area in Illinois with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Illinois typical pay $60,660
Is Chicago a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Chicago earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $77,670 a year, 28% above the national figure. For every 1,000 jobs in the Chicago · Naperville · Elgin area, about 0.6 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. Paramedic jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Chicago, IL?
- A typical Paramedic in Chicago earns $77,670 a year, or $37.34 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $50,000 and the top 10% earn over $106,810.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Chicago?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Chicago is $37.34. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $24.04, and the top 10% earn over $51.35 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Chicago?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Chicago typically offer around $24.04 an hour, or $50,000 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Chicago higher than in the rest of Illinois?
- Chicago pay is 28% above the Illinois figure of $60,660 a year, ranking 1st of 4 metro areas in the state.