CannabisUpdated Q1 2026

Director of Cannabis Operations Salary
in Aurora, IL

Lead multi-site cannabis operations including cultivation, production, and retail. Median salary in Aurora: $122K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$122K
per year
Take-home: $80K

Salary range in Aurora

Entry level (25th)$90,000
Median (50th)$122,000
Senior (75th)$160,000
Top earner (90th)$211,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Aurora, Illinois. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Aurora

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

5% discount vs national median

Director of Cannabis Operationss in Aurora earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $6,000 discount on annual base salary. Aurora's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 95 (US avg = 100).

Strong 18% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 18% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Aurora median reaches $279,106 in five years.

Primarily on-site role

Only 15% of Director of Cannabis Operations positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Aurora salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Aurora

Median salary
$122K
annual
Take-home pay
$80K
after fed/state tax
COL index
95
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.95%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,300
per month
YoY growth
+18%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Aurora Director of Cannabis Operations to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $122K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Aurora

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Director of Cannabis Operations salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$102K$111K$120K$129K$138K201920212023202520272029
2026
$125K
projected
2027
$128K
projected
2028
$131K
projected
2029
$135K
projected
2030
$138K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$122,000+$0
2028 projected$122,000+$0
2029 projected$122,000+$0
2030 projected$122,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Director of Cannabis Operations Salary in Aurora, Illinois: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Director of Cannabis Operations salary in Aurora, IL is $122,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Aurora–IL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Director of Cannabis Operations in Aurora

Entry-level Director of Cannabis Operationss in Aurora with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $90,000 and $122,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $122,000 to $160,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $160,000 to $211,000 or more.

Cost of living in Aurora for Director of Cannabis Operationss

Aurora has a cost of living index of 95 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 5% further in Aurora than the national average. Illinois has a 4.95% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Director of Cannabis Operations

Bachelor's in Business or Agriculture; 7+ years cannabis operations. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Director of Cannabis Operations salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Aurora (current)$122K95
Chicago$147K107
Joliet$115K90
Naperville$151K118
Rockford$102K80