HR and recruiting salary ranges in Chicago

What open people & recruiting postings in Chicago say they pay: the top and the low end of the range each one states, in yearly dollars.

$120,000median top
Bars: how many postings top out in each $25k step. From 176 open postings that state pay, read October 14, 2026.

By level

How far the posted top moves from one level to the next, for people & recruiting in Chicago.

The middle half of posted tops by level, in Chicago
  1. Senior39 postings
    $135,000$107k–$156k
  2. Manager and above55 postings
    $151,000$120k–$195k

Best-paying companies in Chicago

Ranked by the median top of their open people & recruiting postings in Chicago, among companies with at least three that state pay.

The companies whose people & recruiting postings in Chicago state the highest median top
  1. Accenture5 with pay
    $302,000$266k–$338k
  2. Northern Trust6 with pay
    $195,000$170k–$195k
  3. LinkedIn6 with pay
    $192,000$167k–$195k
  4. Kraftheinz4 with pay
    $164,000$141k–$177k
  5. Heinz6 with pay
    $151,000$135k–$170k
  6. Jll4 with pay
    $140,000$123k–$169k
  7. Bain & Company3 with pay
    $119,000$94k–$129k
  8. Uchicago5 with pay
    $116,000$107k–$120k
  9. Primehealthcare3 with pay
    $111,000$106k–$136k
  10. $95,000$90k–$118k

HR and recruiting pay by place

The same work in every place with enough postings, highest median first; Chicago is marked.

The middle half of posted tops for people & recruiting, by place
  1. SF Bay Area729 postings
    $180,000$135k–$220k
  2. Seattle142 postings
    $166,000$115k–$204k
  3. New York735 postings
    $160,000$110k–$200k
  4. Boston158 postings
    $144,000$103k–$194k
  5. Remote920 postings
    $138,000$103k–$185k
  6. Los Angeles190 postings
    $125,000$86k–$164k
  7. San Diego58 postings
    $125,000$70k–$200k
  8. Chicago176 postings
    $120,000$97k–$163k
  9. Austin67 postings
    $119,000$87k–$160k
  10. Denver75 postings
    $119,000$82k–$150k
  11. Atlanta53 postings
    $119,000$80k–$173k
  12. All of the US7,022 postings
    $115,000$75k–$174k
  13. Washington DC174 postings
    $100,000$69k–$150k
  14. Dallas77 postings
    $98,000$65k–$141k
  15. Raleigh–Durham20 postings
    $69,000$49k–$116k
  16. Miami38 postings
    $66,000$53k–$143k

Using these numbers

  • Before you apply, check where the posting's own range sits against the middle half here. A range far below it is worth a question before you spend an afternoon on the application.
  • When they ask what you expect, a figure inside the middle half for your level is one the market has already posted. Name the top of the posting's range if your experience matches what it asks for.
  • Remember what a top is: the most a company says it may pay for the role. Offers land anywhere in the range, and equity and bonus are not in it.

Questions

How much do HR and recruiting jobs pay in Chicago?

Open people & recruiting postings in Chicago that state pay post a median top of $120,000 a year; the middle half runs from $97,000 to $163,000, and the median low end of the ranges is $95,000. That is from 176 postings as of October 14, 2026.

How does the pay change with level?

For people & recruiting postings in Chicago, the median posted top is $135,000 for senior, $151,000 for manager and above.

Which companies post the most for people & recruiting in Chicago?

Among companies with at least three postings that state pay, Accenture ($302,000), Northern Trust ($195,000), LinkedIn ($192,000) post the highest median tops.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the pay ranges employers state in their own open job postings, which DonutApply reads from company job boards and public job feeds every day. They are what a company says it may pay for the role, not salaries anyone reported.

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