Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $85,780 a year ($41.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,140 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $127,410. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $87,010. There are 0.04 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.17). The average (mean) salary is $99,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| 25th percentile | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| Median | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| 75th percentile | $128,020 | $61.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,140 | $83.24 |
| Average (mean) | $99,340 | $47.76 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists 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 | $7,148.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,574.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,299.23 |
| Weekly | $1,649.62 |
| Hourly | $41.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $98,550 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,550 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
See Biochemists and Biophysicists pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Forester | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
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 19-1021. 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 biochemists and biophysicists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $85,780 a year, or $41.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $173,140 a year. The top 25% earn $128,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,930 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $63,730 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 170 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.