Historian salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Historians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $89,670 a year ($43.11 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $52,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,680 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $76,750. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $89,670. The average (mean) salary is $86,480, close to the median.
Pay range for historians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,180 | $25.09 |
| 25th percentile | $89,670 | $43.11 |
| Median | $89,670 | $43.11 |
| 75th percentile | $89,680 | $43.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,680 | $43.11 |
| Average (mean) | $86,480 | $41.58 |
Half of historians 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 | $7,472.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,736.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,448.85 |
| Weekly | $1,724.42 |
| Hourly | $43.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for historians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,710 |
| Maryland | $120,580 |
| District of Columbia | $118,290 |
| Minnesota | $103,040 |
| Virginia | $101,920 |
| Washington | $99,720 |
| Oregon | $99,560 |
| California | $97,420 |
| Hawaii | $92,520 |
| Illinois | $89,670 |
See Historian pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Survey Researcher | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Political Scientist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Microbiologist | $100,620 | $48.38 |
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 19-3093. 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 historian make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for historians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $89,670 a year, or $43.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid historians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of historians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $89,680 a year. The top 25% earn $89,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for historians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,180 a year, and a quarter of historians earn $89,670 or less.