Barbers pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $71,930 or more. The middle half of barbers in Chicago earn between $34,610 and $71,930.
- $34K10th
- $35K25th
- $50KMedian
- $72K75th
- $72K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $50,240 | $4,187 | $24.15 |
| Median | $49,700 | $4,142 | $23.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,610 | $2,884 | $16.64 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $71,930 | $5,994 | $34.58 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Barbers pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Barbers in Chicago earn 10% less than the Illinois average ($55,540) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($47,070). At the median the gap is +30% against the U.S. median of $38,210.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $50,240 | $49,700 | $34,430 | $71,930 | n/a |
| Illinois | $55,540 | $65,430 | $31,460 | $71,990 | n/a |
| United States | $47,070 | $38,210 | $28,600 | $76,460 | 15,000 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Barbers salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $50,240, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $40,202 a year, or $3,350 a month and $1,546 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $41,071 | $3,423 |
| Working in IL | $40,202 | $3,350 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for barbers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $50,240 buys what about $48,497 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 7.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Barbers salary in nearby metro areas
- Milwaukee, WI$42,380
- Davenport, IA$45,950
- Indianapolis, IN$41,810
- Detroit, MI$45,020
- St. Louis, MO$59,280
- Minneapolis, MN$47,580
Highest-paying cities for barbers
Portland, OR pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($71,770).
- Portland, OR$71,770
- Seattle, WA$71,150
- Tallahassee, FL$62,400
- Colorado Springs, CO$61,980
- St. Louis, MO$59,280
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Barbers salary in Chicago: questions
How much do barbers make an hour in Chicago?
$24.16 an hour on average, and $23.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level barbers salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,610, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the barbers take-home pay in Chicago?
About $40,202 a year ($3,350 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,240.
Do barbers earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($47,070).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-5011; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 13.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
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