DOL base 2.8%; 3.35% total incl. fund-building/surcharges (secondary).
Minimum wage: Chicago sets a higher local minimum.
2What this employee costs you
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire an employee in Illinois?
A full-time worker at $18.00/hour ($37,440 a year) with 10 PTO days costs about $41,325 a year before benefits: employer payroll tax $2,864, FUTA $42, Illinois unemployment $477 and typical workers' comp $502. That's $20.66 per hour worked.
What is the Illinois SUTA rate for new employers in 2026?
3.35% on the first $14,250 of each employee's wages (includes state surcharges per a secondary source; base rate per DOL 2.8%). DOL base 2.8%; 3.35% total incl. fund-building/surcharges (secondary).
What is the Illinois minimum wage in 2026?
$15.00 per hour. Chicago sets a higher local minimum.
How much is workers' comp in Illinois?
The 2024 Oregon premium-rate study puts Illinois's all-industry index rate at $1.34 per $100 of payroll (rank 13 of 51; national median $1.09). Your real rate depends on job class and claims history.
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