Epidemiologist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Epidemiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $103,780 a year ($49.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,800 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $87,220. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $102,720. There are 0.05 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $99,680, close to the median.
Pay range for epidemiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,570 | $31.52 |
| 25th percentile | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Median | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| 75th percentile | $106,230 | $51.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,800 | $66.73 |
| Average (mean) | $99,680 | $47.93 |
Half of epidemiologists 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 | $8,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,991.54 |
| Weekly | $1,995.77 |
| Hourly | $49.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Epidemiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $74,330 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
See Epidemiologist 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 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| 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 19-1041. 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 epidemiologist make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for epidemiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $103,780 a year, or $49.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $138,800 a year. The top 25% earn $106,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,570 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $80,230 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 210 epidemiologists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.