Broadcast Technicians Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, broadcast technicians earn $82,130 at the median — $39.49 an hour. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $79,284 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 34.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About broadcast technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level broadcast technicians (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Broadcast Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97K | +79% | 290 |
| New York | $81K | +50% | 1,800 |
| Illinois | $75K | +39% | 580 |
| California | $74K | +37% | 2,520 |
| Connecticut | $72K | +34% | 220 |
| Nevada | $68K | +26% | 320 |
| Arizona | $63K | +17% | 460 |
| Maryland | $59K | +9% | 370 |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | +6% | 970 |
| Washington | $57K | +6% | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +5% | 540 |
| Rhode Island | $56K | +4% | 110 |
| Maine | $56K | +4% | 80 |
| Minnesota | $54K | -1% | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | -6% | 430 |
Track broadcast technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do broadcast technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $82,130 a year - that works out to about $39.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,490, and experienced broadcast technicians can clear $129,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,175/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 34.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a broadcast technicians salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median broadcast technicians salary is worth about $79,284 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do broadcast technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.