Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Government Relations Specialist in Illinois is $87,777 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Government Relations Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Government Relations Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $95,870 | $7,989 | $1,844 | $46 |
| Average | $87,777 | $7,315 | $1,688 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,276 | $6,606 | $1,525 | $38 |
Illinois Association of School Boards - Springfield, IL
Radiological Society of North America - Oak Brook, IL
Confidential - Chicago, IL
CoinFlip - Chicago, IL
A Government Relations 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 a Government Relations 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 |
|---|---|
| Governmen... Level Government Relations Specialist | $88,368 |
| Governmen... Level Government Relations Specialist | $103,353 |
| Governmen... Level Government Relations Specialist | $147,003 |
| Governmen... Level Government Relations Specialist | $176,395 |
| Governmen... Level Government Relations Specialist | $148,992 |
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 Government Relations 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 Government Relations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Government Relations Specialist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Government Relations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $96,555 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Government Relations 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 | $95,870 | $7,989 | $1,844 | $46 |
| Average | $87,777 | $7,315 | $1,688 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,276 | $6,606 | $1,525 | $38 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Government Relations Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc
Champaign, IL
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc | Champaign, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. POSITION TITLE. Member Relations Specialist. CLASSIFICATION. Non-Exempt, Full Time. EEO JOB GROUP. Administr... more
1 Day Ago
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc
Springfield, IL
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc | Springfield, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. POSITION TITLE. Member Relations Specialist. CLASSIFICATION. Non-Exempt, Full Time. EEO JOB GROUP. Administr... more
1 Day Ago
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc
Bloomington, IL
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc | Bloomington, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. POSITION TITLE. Member Relations Specialist. CLASSIFICATION. Non-Exempt, Full Time. EEO JOB GROUP. Administr... more
1 Day Ago
Marklund
Bloomingdale, IL
Marklund | Bloomingdale, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Marklund is built on our mission of making everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities. Our service... more
1 Day Ago
Addison Group
Hoffman Estates, IL
Addison Group | Hoffman Estates, IL
Job Title. Employee Relations Specialist. Industry. Industrial / Technology. Location (city, state). Hybrid. Assignment Type. Contract-to-Hire. Pay. $39-43... more
2 Days Ago
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Waukegan, IL
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago | Waukegan, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. POSITION TITLE. Client Relations Specialist- Lake County. STATUS. Non-Exempt, FT. GRADE. 1. SALARY. $40,000 ... more
2 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
