Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary
The median pay for a market research analysts and marketing specialists in Illinois is $79,120/year ($38.04/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $84,305 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 27.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $79K get you in Illinois?
About market research analysts and marketing specialists
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What this looks like in Illinois
Market research analysts and marketing specialists pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $79K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 0% difference. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level market research analysts and marketing specialists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salary by metro in Illinois
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $80K | +2% | 30,970 |
| Peoria | $79K | -1% | 1,080 |
| Decatur | $68K | -14% | 140 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $66K | -17% | 380 |
| Springfield | $65K | -18% | 410 |
| Rockford | $62K | -22% | 460 |
| Kankakee | $56K | -29% | 100 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a market research analysts and marketing specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 28.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new market research analysts and marketing specialists typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,818/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 50% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is market research analysts and marketing specialist a high-paying job in Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $79K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for market research analysts and marketing specialists?
Illinois pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $84K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do market research analysts and marketing specialists make in Illinois?
The median is $79,120 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,970, and experienced market research analysts and marketing specialists can clear $139,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,011/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 28.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a market research analysts and marketing specialists salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median market research analysts and marketing specialists salary is worth about $84,305 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do market research analysts and marketing specialists 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.