Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $76,260 a year, or about $null an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $73,617 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 35.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $76K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondaries
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $122K or more, a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $106K | +38% | 350 |
| California | $106K | +38% | 2,120 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +24% | 1,110 |
| New York | $94K | +22% | 1,610 |
| Rhode Island | $88K | +15% | 90 |
| Oregon | $84K | +9% | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +6% | 370 |
| Nevada | $82K | +6% | 80 |
| New Hampshire | $81K | +5% | 180 |
| Maryland | $80K | +4% | 260 |
| Michigan | $80K | +4% | 500 |
| Montana | $79K | +2% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +2% | 840 |
| Minnesota | $78K | +2% | 390 |
| Texas | $77K | +0% | 1,700 |
| Illinois | $77K | +0% | 740 |
| Iowa | $76K | -1% | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | -1% | 1,260 |
| Washington | $76K | -1% | 380 |
| New Mexico | $73K | -6% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $70K | -9% | 350 |
| Kentucky | $70K | -9% | 200 |
| Arizona | $68K | -11% | 340 |
| South Dakota | $68K | -12% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $67K | -13% | 380 |
| Indiana | $67K | -13% | 720 |
| Missouri | $66K | -14% | 390 |
| Alabama | $66K | -15% | 120 |
| Utah | $65K | -16% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $65K | -16% | 360 |
| Georgia | $64K | -16% | 330 |
| Arkansas | $63K | -18% | 250 |
| Virginia | $63K | -18% | 890 |
| Kansas | $63K | -18% | 140 |
| Florida | $63K | -18% | 890 |
| West Virginia | $63K | -18% | 70 |
| Delaware | $63K | -18% | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $62K | -20% | 80 |
| Ohio | $61K | -20% | 780 |
| North Carolina | $61K | -21% | 660 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -21% | 110 |
| Mississippi | $52K | -32% | 160 |
| Idaho | $51K | -34% | 50 |
| Alaska | $46K | -40% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 44 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
How much do foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondaries make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $76,260 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,460, and experienced foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondaries can clear $122,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,855/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 36.7% 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 foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary 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 foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $73,617 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondaries 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.