How much does a life scientist make in Chicago?
$70,690a year
Median yearly pay for life scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $33.99 an hour or $5,891 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.99
- Vs. national median
- -25%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 29
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $57,270Median: $70,690Highest 10%: $77,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,270 | $27.53 | |
| 25th | $57,270 | $27.53 | |
| Median | $70,690 | $33.99 | |
| 75th | $70,690 | $33.99 | |
| 90th | $77,920 | $37.46 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for life scientists.
| St. Louis, MO | $75,300 |
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 life scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $33.99 ($70,690 a year).
Do life scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $70,690 against $93,750 nationally, 25% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $66,190, so Chicago pays 7% more.
Where does Chicago rank for life scientist pay?
22 of 29 metro areas with data.
How much does a life scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,270 or less a year; the top 10% make $77,920 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.