Sound Engineering Technicians Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a sound engineering technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $56,340/year ($27.09/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $54,387 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 48.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $56K 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 sound engineering technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level sound engineering technicians (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $101K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Sound Engineering Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $112K | +68% | 320 |
| Washington | $111K | +67% | 350 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +53% | 90 |
| Arizona | $97K | +47% | 250 |
| New York | $87K | +31% | 1,690 |
| Nevada | $82K | +23% | 160 |
| California | $78K | +17% | 3,800 |
| Alabama | $77K | +17% | 50 |
| Maryland | $71K | +7% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $70K | +5% | 500 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -6% | 70 |
| Florida | $62K | -6% | 800 |
| Minnesota | $62K | -7% | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | -7% | 170 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -9% | N/A |
| Texas | $59K | -11% | 320 |
| New Mexico | $59K | -11% | 60 |
| Indiana | $58K | -13% | 80 |
| Ohio | $58K | -13% | 480 |
| North Carolina | $58K | -13% | 220 |
| Connecticut | $57K | -14% | 40 |
| Illinois | $56K | -15% | 700 |
| Oklahoma | $56K | -16% | 40 |
| Montana | $55K | -17% | 40 |
| Kentucky | $54K | -19% | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $54K | -19% | 300 |
| Georgia | $53K | -21% | 180 |
| Louisiana | $52K | -21% | 150 |
| Michigan | $52K | -22% | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | -23% | 100 |
| Oregon | $50K | -24% | 90 |
| Iowa | $50K | -24% | 40 |
| Missouri | $49K | -27% | 300 |
| Virginia | $48K | -28% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $42K | -36% | 130 |
| Utah | $33K | -51% | 320 |
Showing 1–10 of 36 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track sound engineering 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 sound engineering technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $56,340 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced sound engineering technicians can clear $101,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,710/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 48% 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 sound engineering 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 sound engineering technicians salary is worth about $54,387 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sound engineering 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.