Physical Scientists, All Other salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Physical Scientists, All Other in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $121,720 a year ($58.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $122,570. Pay here is 12% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $108,970. There are 0.10 physical scientists, all other per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $121,590, close to the median.
Pay range for physical scientists, all other in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| 25th percentile | $97,900 | $47.07 |
| Median | $121,720 | $58.52 |
| 75th percentile | $153,150 | $73.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,710 | $82.07 |
| Average (mean) | $121,590 | $58.46 |
Half of physical scientists, all other 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 | $10,143.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,071.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,681.54 |
| Weekly | $2,340.77 |
| Hourly | $58.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $121,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Scientists, All Other salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $120,740 | 80 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $67,000 | 560 |
Highest-paying states for physical scientists, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Minnesota | $147,890 |
| North Dakota | $147,650 |
| Maryland | $141,290 |
| South Carolina | $141,130 |
| Massachusetts | $138,380 |
| Georgia | $137,680 |
| Alabama | $135,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,780 |
| Colorado | $134,440 |
See Physical Scientists, All Other 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 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| 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 19-2099. 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 physical scientists, all other make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for physical scientists, all other in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $121,720 a year, or $58.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical scientists, all other make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of physical scientists, all other in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $170,710 a year. The top 25% earn $153,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical scientists, all other in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,310 a year, and a quarter of physical scientists, all other earn $97,900 or less.
How many physical scientists, all other work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 430 physical scientists, all other are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.