Payroll clerk salary in Illinois
The median payroll clerk in Illinois earns $61,390 a year, or $29.51 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 5% above the national median of $58,260, and 10th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Illinois’s 5,580 payroll clerks earn between $48,560 and $74,820. The highest paying metro area in the state is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, at $62,920.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in Illinois. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Illinois
Every metro area in Illinois where BLS publishes a median for payroll clerks, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,920 | $30.25 | $49,750 to $77,230 | 4,170 |
| Bloomington, IL | $62,400 | $30.00 | $45,280 to $70,740 | 60 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $59,200 | $28.46 | $52,000 to $68,030 | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $59,190 | $28.46 | $47,100 to $68,490 | 1,530 |
| Springfield, IL | $57,680 | $27.73 | $48,110 to $66,360 | 80 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $57,220 | $27.51 | $45,970 to $67,290 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $56,900 | $27.36 | $44,860 to $62,640 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $56,780 | $27.30 | $45,100 to $73,620 | 40 |
| Rockford, IL | $55,630 | $26.74 | $47,500 to $64,960 | 120 |
| Peoria, IL | $55,100 | $26.49 | $48,450 to $69,360 | 160 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $43,610 | $20.97 | $36,550 to $56,430 | 40 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Illinois
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a payroll clerk at the Illinois median costs about $82,900 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a payroll clerk costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a payroll clerk’s job, for 9% of what one costs in Illinois.
- Collects the hours and the approvals before the run and flags what does not add up.
- Cross-checks the payroll totals against the books at month end.
- Tells you on Monday whether Friday’s payroll is covered, from the bank, the books and the payouts on their way.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $82,900 a year for a payroll clerk at the Illinois median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI bookkeeper.
Questions
How much does a payroll clerk make in Illinois?
The median payroll clerk in Illinois earned $61,390 a year, or $29.51 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $48,560 and $74,820. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Illinois pays 5% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Illinois pay payroll clerks the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($62,920), Bloomington, IL ($62,400) and Champaign-Urbana, IL ($59,200).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Illinois?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Illinois median costs about $82,900 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/payroll-clerk.
Payroll clerk salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-3051. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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