How much does a historian make in Chicago?
$89,670a year
Median yearly pay for historians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $43.11 an hour or $7,473 a month.
- Hourly
- $43.11
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among cities
- 8 of 20
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,180Median: $89,670Highest 10%: $89,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,180 | $25.09 | |
| 25th | $89,670 | $43.11 | |
| Median | $89,670 | $43.11 | |
| 75th | $89,680 | $43.12 | |
| 90th | $89,680 | $43.12 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for historians.
| No other city in the state with data. |
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 historian make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $43.11 ($89,670 a year).
Do historians make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $89,670 against $76,750 nationally, 17% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $89,670, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for historian pay?
8 of 20 metro areas with data.
How much does a historian make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,180 or less a year; the top 10% make $89,680 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.