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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Specialist in Illinois is $82,803 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an IT Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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IT Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $90,832 | $7,569 | $1,747 | $44 |
| Average | $82,803 | $6,900 | $1,592 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,593 | $6,133 | $1,415 | $35 |
Search Made Easy - South Barrington, IL
NOVOMATIC AMERICAS SALES, LLC - Buffalo Grove, IL
Orthopaedic Center Of Illinois - Springfield, IL
Aleknagik Technology - Rock Island, IL
An IT Specialist'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 an IT Specialist'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 |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level IT Specialist | $68,604 |
| IT Specia... Level IT Specialist | $82,212 |
| Informati... Level IT Specialist | $106,752 |
| Informati... Level IT Specialist | $131,148 |
| Informati... Level IT Specialist | $152,597 |
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 IT Specialists. 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 IT Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 36% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 17% above the average. In contrast, IT Specialist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $96,879 | $47.0 | 17% |
| Biotechnology | $94,395 | $45.0 | 14% |
| Energy & Utilities | $91,911 | $44.0 | 11% |
| Insurance | $90,255 | $43.0 | 9% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $87,771 | $42.0 | 6% |
Understanding how an IT Specialist'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 | $90,832 | $7,569 | $1,747 | $44 |
| Average | $82,803 | $6,900 | $1,592 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,593 | $6,133 | $1,415 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current IT Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Prado & Renteria CPAs
Chicago, IL
Prado & Renteria CPAs | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Responsibilities. Employee Technology Support. Serve as the first point of contact for internal IT questions and user-rel... more
11 Days Ago
CCA Academy
Chicago, IL
CCA Academy | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. CCA Academy. Located in the North Lawndale Community, CCA is a neighborhood school educating students since 1978. It has ... more
9 Days Ago
Connection
Downers Grove, IL
Connection | Downers Grove, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Connection has a fantastic opportunity through our Technical Staffing division for an IT Specialist supporting our client... more
7 Days Ago
AKIRA
Chicago, IL
AKIRA | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. AKIRA IT Support Specialist - Retail. In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. ... more
7 Days Ago
MetroSys
Lisle, IL
MetroSys | Lisle, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Position Overview. MetroSys is seeking a customer-focused. IT Support Specialist. to provide onsite technical support for... more
7 Days Ago
DSN Group, Inc.
Chicago, IL
DSN Group, Inc. | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a Level 1 Support Tech to join our team. You will resolve computer- + user-related issues for our clients.... more
7 Days Ago
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