How much does a geoscientist make in Chicago?
$114,000a year
Median yearly pay for geoscientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $54.82 an hour or $9,503 a month.
- Hourly
- $54.82
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 21 of 105
- Jobs in the area
- 220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $65,310Median: $114,000Highest 10%: $177,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,310 | $31.40 | |
| 25th | $80,800 | $38.85 | |
| Median | $114,000 | $54.82 | |
| 75th | $177,700 | $85.42 | |
| 90th | $177,700 | $85.42 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for geoscientists.
| St. Louis, MO | $78,630 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Microbiologist | $100,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geoscientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $54.82 ($114,000 a year).
Do geoscientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $114,000 against $101,900 nationally, 12% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $96,950, so Chicago pays 18% more.
Where does Chicago rank for geoscientist pay?
21 of 105 metro areas with data.
How much does a geoscientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $65,310 or less a year; the top 10% make $177,700 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.