Source: SalaryDr salary data for in Illinois (N=300 approved reports). URL: https://www.salarydr.com

Physician Salary in Illinois (2026)

Quick Answer

The average physician salary in Illinois is $505,296 across all specialties, based on 300 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The median is $460,000, with a typical range of $360,000–$585,000.

Source: SalaryDr physician-reported data • Updated Nov 2026

Cost of Living in Illinois

Prices in Illinois run in line with the national average (regional price parity 100.0, where the U.S. = 100). Physician salaries here generally reflect national norms when adjusted for local expenses. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Physician Salaries by Specialty in Illinois

SpecialtyMedian SalaryAverage SalarySample Size
Neurosurgery$1,000,000$1,143,7506
Orthopedic Surgery$770,000$868,18513
Thoracic Surgery$750,000$756,6673
Plastic Surgery$710,000$705,0006
Ophthalmology$690,000$767,16718
Interventional Radiology$650,000$685,0003

Top Cities for Physicians in Illinois

Chicago Metro8 reports

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Salary in Illinois

What is the average physician salary in Illinois?

The average physician salary in Illinois is $505,296, with a median of $460,000, based on 300 approved salary reports on SalaryDr.

Which medical specialty pays the most in Illinois?

Based on SalaryDr data, Neurosurgery has the highest median salary in Illinois at $1,000,000.

How does the cost of living in Illinois affect physician pay?

Prices in Illinois run in line with the national average (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024: 100.0, where the U.S. = 100). Physicians should factor in housing, taxes, and everyday expenses when evaluating offers.

What cities in Illinois pay physicians the most?

Top cities for physician employment in Illinois include Chicago Metro. Urban areas tend to offer higher salaries but also higher living costs.

How many physicians report salary data in Illinois?

SalaryDr currently has 300 approved physician salary reports from Illinois.

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