Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $114,030 a year ($54.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,670 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $101,920. Pay here is 18% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $96,950. There are 0.05 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $122,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| 25th percentile | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Median | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| 75th percentile | $177,670 | $85.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,670 | $85.42 |
| Average (mean) | $122,130 | $58.72 |
Half of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers 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 | $9,502.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,751.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,385.77 |
| Weekly | $2,192.88 |
| Hourly | $54.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $114,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $81,330 | 170 |
| Springfield, IL | $79,190 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,630 | 120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $78,290 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 |
| Colorado | $114,410 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 |
| Maryland | $110,510 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 |
| Alaska | $107,410 |
| California | $106,500 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 |
See Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 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 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $133,490 | $64.18 |
| 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 19-2042. 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $114,030 a year, or $54.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $177,670 a year. The top 25% earn $177,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,310 a year, and a quarter of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers earn $80,800 or less.
How many geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 220 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.