Cost of hiring a project coordinator in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN
Budget above the national rate here. The median project coordinator in Chicago-Naperville earned $105,320 a year in May 2025[1], 1.8% above the Illinois statewide median of $103,470 and 2.9% above the US median of $102,320. Nationally that is #47 of 518 areas, in the top tenth. It is the largest market for the job in Illinois: about 21,040 people.
BLS occupation 13-1082, area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Chicago-Naperville against Illinois and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN | $67,350 | $105,320 | $165,780 | |
| Illinois | $65,300 | $103,470 | $163,910 | |
| United States | $61,580 | $102,320 | $167,970 |
Project coordinators at the 90th percentile earn $165,780, 2.5 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.7. The middle half of project coordinators in Chicago-Naperville earns $82,770–$133,980.
What to budget for a project coordinator here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $67,350 | $5,612 | $32.38 | $96,214 |
| 25th percentile | $82,770 | $6,898 | $39.79 | $118,243 |
| Median | $105,320 | $8,777 | $50.63 | $150,457 |
| 75th percentile | $133,980 | $11,165 | $64.41 | $191,400 |
| 90th percentile | $165,780 | $13,815 | $79.70 | $236,829 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $22,550 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $28,660, or about $40,943 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Chicago-Naperville
At the $105,320 median, a local hire costs about $150,457 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $45,137 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for project coordinators we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Chicago-Naperville
Project coordinators have the highest median of the 17 roles we track in Chicago-Naperville; virtual receptionists have the lowest, at $38,060.
| Role | Median | vs project coordinator | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | this role | 21,040 | |
| Accountant | -21.8% | 41,360 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -23.7% | 30,970 | |
| Recruiter | -25.7% | 26,470 | |
| Executive Assistant | -26.2% | 10,620 | |
| Office Manager | -31.9% | 33,180 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -32.9% | 55,730 | |
| Paralegal | -33.0% | 11,590 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -40.3% | 4,170 | |
| Bookkeeper | -51.2% | 35,660 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -52.1% | 50,190 | |
| HR Assistant | -52.9% | 2,920 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -54.5% | 2,970 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -54.7% | 20,020 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -55.3% | 75,240 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -57.6% | 4,270 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -63.9% | 30,540 |
Other areas in Illinois
Across the 12 areas of Illinois with data for this job, the median runs from $86,680 in the East Central Illinois nonmetro area to $123,730 in Peoria, a gap of $37,050 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Chicago-Naperville | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | +17.5% | 730 | |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN | this area | 21,040 | |
| Decatur, IL | -2.3% | 60 | |
| Bloomington, IL | -4.0% | 460 | |
| Springfield, IL | -5.0% | 490 | |
| Northwest Illinois (Nonmetro) | -8.5% | 250 | |
| Kankakee, IL | -9.0% | 70 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a project coordinator in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN?
About $150,457 a year at the median, or $12,538 a month: $105,320 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for project coordinators in Chicago-Naperville?
The median was $105,320 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $67,350, the 90th $165,780, and the middle half earned $82,770 to $133,980.
Is Chicago-Naperville cheaper than the rest of Illinois for project coordinators?
No, it costs more: a median of $105,320 against $103,470 statewide. Peoria pays the most ($123,730) and the East Central Illinois nonmetro area the least ($86,680).
How many project coordinators work in Chicago-Naperville?
BLS counts about 21,040 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a project coordinator cost more than an accountant in Chicago-Naperville?
Yes: $22,960 a year more at the median. The medians are $105,320 and $82,360.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1082: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131082.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.