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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Head in Illinois is $65,754 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Department Head's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Department Head Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,067 | $6,006 | $1,386 | $35 |
| Average | $65,754 | $5,480 | $1,265 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,537 | $4,878 | $1,126 | $28 |
Blain's Farm & Fleet - Morton, IL
Blain's Farm & Fleet - Montgomery, IL
Carle Health - Urbana, IL
Confidential - Chicago, IL
A Department Head's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Department Head's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $55,868 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $66,782 |
| Departmen... Level Department Head | $65,290 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $74,674 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $86,691 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Department Heads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Department Head roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Department Head positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Department Head as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $92,056 | $44.0 | 40% |
| Insurance | $78,905 | $38.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Department Head's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $72,067 | $6,006 | $1,386 | $35 |
| Average | $65,754 | $5,480 | $1,265 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,537 | $4,878 | $1,126 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Department Head job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Decatur Public Schools
Decatur, IL
Decatur Public Schools | Decatur, IL
Schedule B and Additional Duties/ Department Chair Date Posted:1/22/2026 Location:Hope Academy. Date Available:ASAP Closing Date:Until Filled. TITLE:Middle... more
9 Days Ago
Blain's Farm & Fleet
Montgomery, IL
Blain's Farm & Fleet | Montgomery, IL
Automotive Department Head. The Automotive Department Head would perform excellent customer service and stocking the areas of the automotive department, al... more
11 Days Ago
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
EAST PALO ALTO, CA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals | EAST PALO ALTO, CA
If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innova... more
7 Days Ago
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
MIDDLE WEST, PA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals | MIDDLE WEST, PA
If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innova... more
7 Days Ago
UAB Medicine
BIRMINGHAM, AL
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Head of Software Engineering Location: NRAO Array Operations Center, PO Box 0, SOCORRO, New Mexico, United Stat... more
7 Days Ago
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