How does a Professor's salary in Rockford compare to the rest of Illinois?

Rockford's cost of living index is 83 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Professor earning the city-adjusted median of $70,035 earns $19,035 more than the median household income in Rockford ($51,000).

Professor Salary in Rockford, IL — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Rockford's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Professor Salary in Rockford — Key Numbers

$70,035

Median Salary

$47,808

25th Percentile

$101,642

75th Percentile

$140,204

90th Percentile

National median (Professor)$84,380

vs. National median-17.0%

Rockford median household income$51,000

vs. City household income+37.3%

Cost of Living in Rockford

Cost of Living Index

83(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$780/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio13.4%

Annual rent cost$9,360

Median Home Price$145,000

Home Price / Salary2.1×

20% Down Payment$29,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.1 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Rockford

5.6%

Unemployment Rate

345,000

Metro Population

20 min

Avg Commute

36.1

Median Age

Rockford has a metro population of 345,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Rockford

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Cost of Living — Rockford

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Professor Salary in Illinois

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Rockford

Physician$190,319 Chief Executive Officer$174,300 Dentist$145,673 IT Manager$140,693 Marketing Manager$130,825 Lawyer$120,981

Professor Salary — Other Illinois Cities

Chicago, IL$96,193 Peoria, IL$70,879

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Professor make in Rockford, IL?

The estimated median salary for a Professor in Rockford is $70,035 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $84,380 adjusted by Rockford's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $47,808 (25th percentile) to $101,642 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $140,204.

Is Rockford affordable for a Professor?

On a $70,035 annual salary, a Professor in Rockford would spend approximately 13.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($780/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Rockford relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $145,000 is 2.1× the annual salary.

How does a Professor's salary compare to Rockford's overall income?

Rockford's median household income is $51,000. A Professor earning the city-adjusted median of $70,035 earns 37.3% more than the typical Rockford household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Professor — National Professor in Illinois All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.