Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$38,790

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$38,292

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers earning $38,790 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $38,292 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Illinois's cost of living.

Percentile	Nominal Salary	COL-Adjusted	Difference
10th Percentile (P10)	$29,120	$28,746	$-373
25th Percentile (P25)	$36,280	$35,814	$-465
Median (P50)	$38,790	$38,292	$-497
75th Percentile (P75)	$38,930	$38,430	$-499
90th Percentile (P90)	$55,230	$54,521	$-708

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $38,790 keeps most of its value at $38,292 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Washington

$73,469

RPP 109.8

2. Tennessee

$55,326

RPP 91.8

3. Iowa

$54,309

RPP 88.4

4. Wisconsin

$43,813

RPP 92.3

5. Montana

$43,466

RPP 90.3

6. Kentucky

$43,389

RPP 89.4

7. New York

$40,650

RPP 107.6

8. Arizona

$40,300

RPP 99.9

9. Minnesota

$40,276

RPP 97.7

10. North Carolina

$40,031

RPP 94.2

Illinois ranks #14 out of 30 states for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers in Illinois after cost of living?

A Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers in Illinois earns a median salary of $38,790 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $38,292 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers in Illinois: $38,790 x (100 / 101.3) = $38,292. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.