Receptionist salary in Illinois
The median receptionist in Illinois earns $37,400 a year, or $17.98 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 2% below the national median of $38,010, and 25th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Illinois’s 40,370 receptionists earn between $34,510 and $44,260. The highest paying metro area in the state is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, at $38,060.
Liaison does the routine half of a receptionist’s job for 15% of what one costs in Illinois. See how.
Receptionist salary by city in Illinois
Every metro area in Illinois where BLS publishes a median for receptionists, 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 | $38,060 | $18.30 | $34,960 to $45,140 | 30,540 |
| Rockford, IL | $37,460 | $18.01 | $33,340 to $42,810 | 1,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $36,880 | $17.73 | $31,390 to $43,040 | 760 |
| Springfield, IL | $36,500 | $17.55 | $32,640 to $41,470 | 670 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,470 | $17.53 | $33,640 to $41,590 | 8,700 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,170 | $17.39 | $31,510 to $40,160 | 790 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,970 | $17.29 | $31,200 to $39,800 | 1,010 |
| Decatur, IL | $35,690 | $17.16 | $31,400 to $39,840 | 260 |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,620 | $17.12 | $31,300 to $39,800 | 310 |
| Bloomington, IL | $35,340 | $16.99 | $31,200 to $38,340 | 520 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $34,750 | $16.71 | $31,130 to $38,370 | 330 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $32,130 | $15.45 | $28,660 to $37,660 | 240 |
What a receptionist 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 receptionist at the Illinois median costs about $50,500 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a receptionist costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a receptionist’s job, for 15% of what one costs in Illinois.
- Answers the routine email and text enquiries in your voice, at any hour.
- Books, confirms and reschedules from your own calendar.
- Takes the message, logs it against the customer, and hands the ones that need a person to a person.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $50,500 a year for a receptionist 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 office manager.
Questions
How much does a receptionist make in Illinois?
The median receptionist in Illinois earned $37,400 a year, or $17.98 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $34,510 and $44,260. Nationally the median is $38,010, so Illinois pays 2% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Illinois pay receptionists the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($38,060), Rockford, IL ($37,460) and Champaign-Urbana, IL ($36,880).
What does a receptionist cost an employer in Illinois?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a receptionist at the Illinois median costs about $50,500 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/receptionist.
Receptionist salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-4171. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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