How much does a biological scientist make in Chicago?
$85,680a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $41.19 an hour or $7,140 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.19
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among cities
- 97 of 156
- Jobs in the area
- 780
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,090Median: $85,680Highest 10%: $131,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,090 | $28.89 | |
| 25th | $64,840 | $31.17 | |
| Median | $85,680 | $41.19 | |
| 75th | $106,900 | $51.38 | |
| 90th | $131,300 | $63.14 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for biological scientists.
| Davenport, IA | $82,620 |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,330 |
| Champaign, IL | $70,870 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $137,100 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $133,500 |
| Materials Scientist | $133,300 |
| Physical Scientist | $121,700 |
| Geoscientist | $114,000 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,800 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $104,600 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,800 |
| Political Scientist | $103,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41.19 ($85,680 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $85,680 against $98,920 nationally, 13% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $82,640, so Chicago pays 4% more.
Where does Chicago rank for biological scientist pay?
97 of 156 metro areas with data.
How much does a biological scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $60,090 or less a year; the top 10% make $131,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.