Caregiver salary in Illinois
A strong career option in Illinois — with programs that take up to ~3 weeks to complete.
Median pay · May 2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
$38,060/ yr
$3,172 / mo · $18.30 / hr
↑ $2,260 above the national median ($35,800)
Pay by experience
Entry
$34,195
Median
$38,060
Experienced
$42,494
Demand
Very high
Program length
up to ~3 weeks
Projected growth
+17.0%
Annual openings
765,800
Market trajectory
BLS national wage benchmarks
How Illinois compares to the national wage trend
Illinois median
$38,060
2025 national
$35,800
2024 national
$34,900
↑ +2.6% change in national average wages for this field over the last year.
Job demand & outlook
+17.0% projected growth through 2034
765,800 average annual openings nationwide for Caregivers.
Source: BLS Employment Projections
Where this career can take you
A clear progression path, with real salary growth at each step
- State Certificate$50,559
- Professional Certification / Diploma$53,771
- Professional Certification / Bootcamp$88,192
- Associate Degree$80,408
Is this career change worth it?
A simple look at what it costs vs what you gain
What it typically costs
- Average training cost$6,267
- Time to completeup to ~3 weeks
- Credential earnedProfessional Certification / Diploma
What you get back
- Starting salary$34,195
- Median salary$38,060
- Experienced salary$42,494
At an entry wage of $34,195, most Caregivers break even on the $6,267 training investment in about 3 months of work.
How to become a Caregiver in Illinois
A clear path from where you are to where you want to be
Find a Caregiver program in Illinois
Browse certified training programs. Most Caregiver tracks complete in up to ~3 weeks and average $6,267 in tuition.
Earn your Professional Certification / Diploma
Complete coursework, finish required clinical or lab hours, and pass the exam required for a Professional Certification / Diploma in Illinois.
Get hired in Illinois
With roughly 765,800 Caregiver openings each year nationwide, graduates often find employment within 30–90 days in Illinois.
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Frequently asked questions
The median salary for a Caregiver in Illinois is $38,060 per year, which is $18.30 per hour. Entry level positions typically start around $34,195 while experienced Caregivers can earn up to $42,494 annually.
Next step
Find Caregiver Classes Near You
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