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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Chicago: $241K Median

Physicians in Chicago, IL earn between $184K and $420K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Chicago, IL is $240,765 per year — +5% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $183,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $420,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Chicago earned approximately $36,480 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$240,765
+560.0% YoY · $20,064/mo
Entry
$210,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$367,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$420,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$241K
Atlanta
$241K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$238K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$229K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Chicago

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis and treatment
  • Order tests and prescriptions
  • Document patient records
  • Coordinate care
  • Lead medical teams

Education & Certifications

Typical path: MD/DO + residency (3-7 years)

In-demand certifications

MD or DOBoard certificationState medical licenseDEA registration

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Kaiser Permanente
Johns Hopkins
HCA Healthcare
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physician listings.

TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+.

Physician Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$183,750$240,765$420,000
Monthly$15,313$20,064$35,000
Weekly$3,534$4,630$8,077
Hourly$88$116$202

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$165,002.04
Per month$13,750
Biweekly paycheck$6,346
Effective tax rate31.5%

Tax Breakdown on $240,765

Gross salary$240,765
Federal income tax−$49,435.8
Illinois state tax−$11,917.868
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$14,409.293
Take-home (net)$165,002.04

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physician Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$193,200
2–3 yr$210,000
4–6 yr$288,750
7–10 yr$367,500
11–15 yr$433,650
15+ yr$393,750

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$36,480
2026 median:$240,765
Change:+$204,285

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$225,014
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $218,877 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $368K–$420K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Physician salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Physician salary in Chicago is $240,765 per year as of April 2026 — $20,064/month, $4,630/week, or about $116/hour. Salaries range from $183,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $420,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $240,765 a good Physician salary in Chicago?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $240,765 a real purchasing power of approximately $225,014 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $240,765 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $240,765 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $240,765 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $240,765 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $240,765 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $240,765 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $240,765 each ($481,530 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $240,765 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $240,765 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Physician income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Chicago?
On a $240,765 Physician salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $165,002.04 per year ($13,750/month, $6,346 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $49,435.8, state $11,917.868, FICA $14,409.293. Effective tax rate: 31.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $240,765 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $225,014 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Physicians in Chicago typically start at around $210,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $367,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $420,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Chicago grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $36,480 in 2025 to $240,765 in 2026 (+$204,285). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Chicago?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physicians are: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Chicago include: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, HCA Healthcare, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physician salary in Chicago?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physician salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., MD or DO or Board certification). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physician in Chicago?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physician salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Dentist →

Physician Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$241KPhiladelphia, PA$238KDallas, TX$241KFort Worth, TX$234KCharlotte, NC$234KSacramento, CA$248KAtlanta, GA$241KRaleigh, NC$241K

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