Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $133,490 a year ($64.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $91,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $540,320 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $99,070. Pay here is 19% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $112,280. There are 0.01 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.19). The average (mean) salary is $182,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,070 | $43.79 |
| 25th percentile | $105,590 | $50.76 |
| Median | $133,490 | $64.18 |
| 75th percentile | $162,410 | $78.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $540,320 | $259.77 |
| Average (mean) | $182,890 | $87.93 |
Half of atmospheric and space scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,562.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,134.23 |
| Weekly | $2,567.12 |
| Hourly | $64.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $133,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $111,650 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $107,690 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $103,240 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 |
| California | $124,920 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 |
| Idaho | $119,430 |
| New York | $117,540 |
| Florida | $115,960 |
| Arizona | $115,020 |
| Missouri | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $112,280 |
See Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,310 | $41.01 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,340 | $64.10 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $121,720 | $58.52 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $69,820 | $33.57 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $133,490 a year, or $64.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $91,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $540,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $540,320 a year. The top 25% earn $162,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $91,070 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $105,590 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 50 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.