How much does a life make in Chicago?
$61,420a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $29.53 an hour or $5,118 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.53
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 74 of 182
- Jobs in the area
- 550
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,040Median: $61,420Highest 10%: $83,310
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| 25th | $49,680 | $23.88 | |
| Median | $61,420 | $29.53 | |
| 75th | $72,590 | $34.90 | |
| 90th | $83,310 | $40.05 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for lifes.
| St. Louis, MO | $54,420 |
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 make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $29.53 ($61,420 a year).
Do lifes make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $61,420 against $62,280 nationally, 1% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $59,410, so Chicago pays 3% more.
Where does Chicago rank for life pay?
74 of 182 metro areas with data.
How much does a life make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $83,310 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.