Who Makes What
How much money does Barack Obama make as a U.S. senator? Find out salary information about him and others in various fields.
By Gretchen Wahl, Graham Meyer, Kate Rockwood, Nadine Kenney, Brigid Sweeney, Lisa O’Keefe, Brittney Blair, and Benjamin Fritz
(page 1 of 7)
From advertising to zookeeping, from opera to Oprah, we crunched the numbers on pay at more than 190 jobs around town. What's in your wallet?
Photography by Steven E. Gross
A stenographer who makes more than Barack Obama. A doctor who makes less than a dog walker. And who knew personal shoppers could make more than twice as much as first-year public defenders?
Our survey of annual salaries in Chicago gave us a few surprises-and reams of interesting conversations. To compile our report, we scoured public records and published sources; interviewed human resources personnel, union leaders, and industry experts; and simply asked people about their pay. (When one of our numbers here comes from another published source, we've cited the source. Data from public records and interviews are unmarked.) For some workers we annualized income by multiplying their hourly wage by the number of hours they said they worked (if they didn't say, we assumed 52 40-hour weeks). Many of the struggling artists, athletes, and do-gooders on our list have other jobs that pay the rent. We include income only for the job listed for 2005, unless otherwise noted. Finally, many of these jobs have perks and benefits that we did not quantify, such as getting health insurance, use of the Governor's Mansion, or a chance to kiss Jennifer Aniston. We only counted the cash (except in the case of Tuna the cat).
| Entertainers | |
| Oprah (Source: Forbes) | $225 million |
| Vince Vaughn ($12 million for The Break Up, $3 million for Wedding Crashers) | $15 million |
| Steve Carell Second City alum (for The 40-Year-Old Virgin) | $500,000 |
| |
| Peter Oprisko Sinatra-style singer | approx. $175,000 |
| Stephen Sodaro Magician and psychic entertainer | $35,000 |
| Cassandra Bissell Stage actress, Short Shakespeare! ‘Macbeth' | $14,000 |
| Actor Steppenwolf Theatre Company | From $350/week (for smaller stages) to $800/week (for larger stages) |
| Highest-paid athletes | |
| 1) Jim Thome White Sox designated hitter/first baseman | $14.167 million |
| 2) Tim Thomas Bulls forward | $13.975 million |
| 3) Paul Konerko White Sox first baseman | $12 million |
| 4) Javier Vazquez White Sox pitcher | $11.5 million |
| 5) Kerry Wood Cubs pitcher | $11 million |
| 6) Aramis Ramirez Cubs third baseman | $10.5 million |
| 7) Tyson Chandler Bulls center | $9 million |
| 8) Freddy García White Sox pitcher | $9 million |
| 9) Greg Maddux Cubs pitcher | $9 million |
| 10) Derrek Lee Cubs first baseman | $8.667 million |
Paid to Play | |
| Ozzie Guillen Manager, world champion White Sox | $2 million |
| Dusty Baker Manager, Cubs | $3.75 million |
| Nikolai Khabibulin Goalie and highest-paid member of the Chicago Blackhawks | $6.75 million |
| Craig Anderson Backup goalie, Chicago Blackhawks | $450,000 |
| Jerry Azumah, Cornerback and highest-paid member of the Chicago Bears | $3 million (base salary; does not include bonus) |
| Brian Urlacher Middle linebacker, Chicago Bears | $1.25 million (base salary; does not include bonus) |
| Kane County Cougar First season | $1,100/month, maximum |
| Luvabull Chicago Bulls | $40 plus two tickets per game; $90/hour for personal appearances |
| |
| Juanna Rumble Blocker, Windy City Rollers | $0 |
| Lifeguard supervisor Chicago Park District | $31,200 (based on $15/hour) |
| Price of Success | |
Combined 2005 salaries of Cubs starting pitchers | $27.8 million |
| Price per win by starters: | $556,200 |
| Combined 2005 salaries of White Sox starting pitchers (Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, Orlando Hernandez, Jose Contreras) | $29.4 million |
| Price per win by starters: | $408,333 |
Media figures | |
| Diann Burns News anchor, CBS 2 (Source: Chicago Tribune) | $2 million |
| Mancow Muller Radio host, WKQX (Source: Chicago Sun-Times) | $2 million |
| Ira Glass Executive producer/host of This American Life, WBEZ | $105,692 (2004 salary) |
| Phil Ponce Host of Chicago Tonight, WTTW | $195,893 (2004 salary) |
| Advertising executive Starcom | $47,300 |
Creative accounting | |
| Sir Andrew Davis Principal conductor/music director Lyric Opera of Chicago | $885,624 |
| Chorus member Lyric Opera of Chicago | $49,000 |
| James Cuno President and Eloise W. Martin Director, Art Institute of Chicago | $371,985 |
| Deborah Card President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association | $391,667 |
| Samuel Magad Concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra | $261,402 |
| Robert Chen Co-concertmaster, Chicago Symphony Orchestra | $235,042 |
| CSO union musician | $106,080 |
| Model Elite Chicago | $75,000 to $150,000 |
| Hair/makeup artist Elite Chicago | $60,000 |
| Kevin Eichorst Portrait photographer | $20,000 |
Kevin Stein | $1,500 (sum he spent to promote Poetry Now, a project to attract audiences for poetry ) |
Food and drink | |
| Executive chef Italian restaurant in the Loop | $57,000 |
| Daniel Speer Chef, Morseland | $31,200 |
| Kate Wimbiscus Barista, Starbucks, Michigan Avenue and Huron Street | $17,680 (based on $7.50/hour, $1/hour in tips) |
| Al Mroz Bartender, Woodlawn Tap | $31,980 (based on $6/hour plus $60 to $90/night in tips) |
| Robert Adams Jr. and Robert Adams Sr. Co-owners, Honey 1 BBQ | $20,000 (each) |
| Abby Witt Cocktail waitress, Mad Jack's | $5,980 (based on $100 to $130/night, one night/week) |
| Yana Dubinsky Cocktail waitress, Rockit Bar & Grill | $43,680 (based on $3.80/hour, $200 to $300/night in tips, three nights a week) |
| John Wills Dairy Queen cashier | $8,450 (based on $6.50/hour, 25 hours/week) |
| |
| Sharone Mitchell Sales consultant, Judge & Dolph, liquor distributors | $55,000 |
| Style around town | |
Brian Sutcliffe | $48,000 |
| Joe Giacobbe Barber, University Barber, South Side | $25,000 (estimate based on range) |
| Edith Slawniak Aesthetician, Renu Day Spa, North Shore | $57,000 |
Living with the law | |
| |
| Christopher Esbrook Second-year associate, Kirkland & Ellis | $145,000 |
| Dan Webb Überlawyer, Winston & Strawn(Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch) | $1 million |
| Chris Nathan First-year public defender, Cook County | $43,222 |
| Mara Georges Corporation counsel, City of Chicago | $159,276 |
| Entry-level legal secretary Gardner, Carton & Douglas | $38,000 |
| Patrick Fitzgerald U.S. attorney, Northern District of Illinois | $143,000 |
| Richard Posner Federal judge, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals | $175,100 (does not include income from writing or from teaching at the University of Chicago Law School) |
| Rebecca Pallmeyer Federal judge, Northern District of Illinois | $165,200 |
The skin trade | |
| Exotic dancer Admiral Theatre Gentlemen's Club | $300 to $1,000 /night |
| Cara Zavaleta Miss November 2004, Playboy | $25,000 (for Playmate of the Month pictorial) |
| Christie Hefner CEO, Playboy | $1.44 million (Source: Chicago Sun-Times) |
Tough guys | |
| Lance Corporal James Craven U.S. Marine Corps | $31,000 plus $1,750 hazard pay for tour of duty in Iraq |
| Bouncer Gold Coast bar | $37,000 (based on $10 to $13/hour plus up to $100 in tips/night) |
Crime doesn't pay | |
| Street-Level Drug dealer | $1,776 (after gang dues; source: Freakonomics) |
Animal people | |
| Stuart D. Strahl President and CEO, Brookfield Zoo | $258,750 |
| Jennifer Hunt Lead zookeeper, Habitat Africa! (Savanna), Regenstein Wolf Woods, Brookfield Zoo | $48,000 |
| Ted A. Beattie President and CEO, Shedd Aquarium | $464,848 |
| Veterinarian North Side clinic | $50,000 to $75,000 |
| Steven Heard Moo & Oink poultry department | $10,192 (based on $7/hour, 26 to 30 hours/week) |
| Tuna Feline actress (fee: $800 a day), Amazing Animals by Samantha | $533 (value of 104 cans of tuna, 52 cans of salmon, 26 containers of Pounce cat treats, 12 catnip mice, 6 feather wands, and health insurance) |
Soul people | |
| Funeral director First year of licensure | $59,334 |
| Bill Hybels Senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church | $115,000 |
| Susan B. W. Johnson Senior minister, Hyde Park Union Church | $72,381 |
| Alan Taylor Minister, Unity Temple, Oak Park | $65,000 |
| Priest Archdiocese of Chicago | $25,000 (plus room, board, meals, health insurance, car insurance) |
| Hearse driver Four years' experience | $46,749 |
Stock options | |
| Brad Aubuchon Stockbroker, NYTC LLC | $1.13 million |
| Stockhandler Chicago Public Library | $21,770 |
Jobs that still make house calls | |
| Swimming pool salesman American Sales | $30,000 |
| Pizza deliveryman Aurelio's Pizza | $27,820 (based on $500 to $570/week) |
| James Casara Handyman | $41,600 (based on $20/hour) |
Power players | |
| Electrician Local 134, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers | $73,112 (based on $35.15/hour) |
| John Carson Project consultant, LTK Engineering Services | $102,000 |
| John W. Rowe CEO, Exelon Corp. | $11.5 million (Source: Forbes) |
Jobs you can't miss | |
| Bagpiper Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band | $150/visit; $200/visit on St. Patrick's Day or New Year's Eve |
| Jun Cameron Drummer, Michigan Avenue | $25 to $150/day |
| Errol Ragsdale Street solicitor, Save the Children | $8/hour plus commission |
| Vehicle booter City of Chicago Department of Revenue | $52,728 (based on $25.35/hour) |
Educators | |
| Bonnie Muran First-year third grade public school teacher, Grayslake | $39,143 |
| James L. Madara Dean of the biological sciences and vice president for medical affairs, University of Chicago | $758,940 |
| Third-year teacher at a North Side Catholic school Chicago | $26,845 |
| Keith Majeske 12th-year English teacher, Morgan Park High School | $60,226 |
| Henry S. Bienen President, Northwestern University | $593,250 |
| Don Randel President, University of Chicago | $501,714 |
| Randy Walker Football coach, Northwestern University | $516,833 |
| Dipak C. Jain Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University | $754,986 |
| Kerensa Peterson Adjunct professor, City Colleges of Chicago | $7,488 |
| |
| Antonio Micheletti Private Italian tutor | $14,040 (based on $30/hour, 9 hrs/week) |
| Teaching assistant Northwestern University | $18,000 (teaching fellowship) |
| Brian Gillis Ph.D candidate in political science, University of Chicago | $30,000 ($24,000 fellowship, plus $6,000 for admissions test prep tutoring for The Princeton Review) |
| Self-employed chess teacher | $40,000 |
A butcher, a baker, a candle-stick maker | |
| Stefan Zajczenko Butcher, Dorfler's Meat Market | $35,000 |
| Gracie Gamero Baker, Medici | $32,000 |
| Brad ZasAda Candlestick maker, Melting Point | $18,720 (based on $9/hour) |
Union workers | |
| Plumber Local 130, Chicago Journeymen Plumbers | $79,872 (based on $38.40/hour) |
| Carpenter Local 181, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters | $73,465 (based on $35.32/hour) |
| Bricklayer Local 21, United Order of American Bricklayers and Stone Masons | $69,160 (based on $33.25/hour) |
Nose jobs | |
| Freelance perfumer Major department store | $25,000 |
| Theresa Montana Florist, City Scents | $125,000 |
| Dana Hammett Florist's employee, Cattails | $18,720 (based on $9/hour) |
| Garbage truck driver Waste Management | $60,000 to $80,000 |
| Sewer worker Chicago Department of Water Management | $62,712 (based on $30.15/hour) |
| Salesclerk Bath & Body Works | $16,640 (based on $8/hour) |
| Leonel Lopez Cashier, Dunkin Donuts | $14,040 (based on $6.75/hour) |
Old economy | |
| Seth Zurer Travel agent, Select Italy | $35,000 |
| Riley Johnson Shoe shiner, Cell Block | $2,600 (based on $5/hour, one 4-hour shift/week, $30/night in tips) |
| |
| Tina Alfaro Stenographer, Victoria Court Reporting | $175,000 |
| Stenographer Cook County state's attorney's office | $27,346 |
| Neil Massey Sword maker, Rogue Steel | $30,000 to $35,000 |
| Kevin Statz Jouster | $500/weekend |
| Kelley Rutherford Personal companion | $25/hour |
| Steve Kazmier Typewriter repairman, Independence Business Machines | $60,000 |
New economy | |
| Software engineer Online travel Web site | $140,000 |
| Jessa Crispin E-zine editor (Bookslut.com)/freelance writer | $35,000 |
| Roy Shay Party DJ | $6,000 (based on $200 to $800/month) |
| Information technology worker Entry level | $50,000 |
People behind the people | |
| Executive assistant Five years' experience, Lakeshore Staffing | $80,000 to $100,000 |
| Executive assistant to CEO Lakeshore Staffing | $120,000 |
| Receptionist Lakeshore Staffing | $28,500 |
| Maid | $24,000 to $43,000 |
| Kristin Thompson Teacher, Gymboree Play & Music | $24,000 |
| |
| Katherine Raz Dog walker, Danny's Dog Walkers | $26,000 (based on $400 to $600/week) |
| Personal shopper Major department store | $110,000 |
| Personal trainer Oak Brook Park District | $18 to $25/hour |
| Aerobics instructor Oak Brook Park District | $11,648 (based on $28/class, 8 classes/week) |
| Bridget Walsh Sebek 18-year-old babysitter | $10/hour |
Caring a lot | |
| Cassandra Firkins Foster care case manager supervisor, Little City Foundation | $41,500 |
| Registered Nurse General practitioner's office | $40,000 |
| Policy analyst Public health nonprofit | $40,000 |
| Nurse Private specialty practice, four to five years' experience | $60,000 |
| Dr. Mark Macumber Family physician and founder of Patients First, a practice dedicated to affordable health care | $17,000 |
| Kathleen Belan Psychotherapist, Challenge Healthcare Corp. | $58,000 |
| Senior policy analyst Public health nonprofit | $50,000 |
| Office manager Nonprofit | $30,000 |
Mayoral suite | |
| Richard M. Daley Mayor, Chicago | $216,210 |
| Adrienne Hiegel Assistant to the mayor, Chicago | $124,440 |
| Frank Van Buer Mayor, DeKalb | $25,000 |
| Joyce Stupegia Village president, Villa Park | $4,400 |
Our taxes at work | |
| Richard Mell 33rd Ward alderman, Chicago | $98,125 |
| Rod Blagojevich Governor of Illinois and Mell's son-in-law | $150,691 |
| Judy Baar Topinka State treasurer of Illinois and gubernatorial candidate | $115,235 |
Michael Madigan | $81,007 |
| Lisa Madigan Illinois attorney general and daughter of the Speaker | $132,963 |
John H. Stroger Jr. | $170,000 |
| Forrest Claypool Cook County commissioner | $85,000 |
| Patrick Quinn Lieutenant governor of Illinois | $115,235 |
Jan Schakowsky | $165,200 |
| Barack Obama U.S. senator from Illinois | $165,200 |
| Dennis Hastert U.S. representative, 14th District of Illinois, Speaker of the House | $212,100 |
Donald Rumsfeld | $183,100 |
| Emil Jones Jr. Illinois senator, senate president | $81,007 |
| Frank Watson Illinois senator, senate minority leader | $81,007 |
Tom Cross | $81,007 |
| Nancy Majeske Postal clerk | $42,630 |
| James Laski Former city clerk; resigned in February after indictment | $133,545 |
Cortez Trotter | $164,100 |
| Firefighter First year, Chicago | $40,416 |
| Philip Cline Chicago police superintendent | $182,016 |
Police officer | $42,258 |
| Police sergeant Chicago | $75,102 (median salary) |
| Paul Volpe Budget director, City of Chicago | $148,476 |
Dorothy Eng | $106,980 |
| Traffic signal repairman Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation | $72,696 |
| Library page Chicago Public Library | $16,640 (based on $8/hour) |
| Hydrant inspector Department of Water Management, Chicago | $82,416 |
Top dollars | |
| Glenn F. Tilton CEO, UAL Corporation | $1.2 million |
| Alan J. Lacy CEO, Sears Holdings | $1.5 million |
| James A. Bell CEO, The Boeing Company | $1.6 million |
| Miles D. White CEO, Abbott Laboratories | $4.4 million |
| Edward J. Zander CEO, Motorola | $6.5 million |
| Edward M. Liddy CEO, Allstate | $26.7 million |
| W. James Farrell CEO, Illinois Tool Works | $32.6 million |
This article appears in the April 2006 issue of Chicago Magazine.
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