How much does a materials scientist make in Chicago?
$133,300a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $64.11 an hour or $11,110 a month.
- Hourly
- $64.11
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 7 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $93,240Median: $133,300Highest 10%: $197,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $93,240 | $44.83 | |
| 25th | $104,400 | $50.17 | |
| Median | $133,300 | $64.11 | |
| 75th | $174,100 | $83.71 | |
| 90th | $197,900 | $95.15 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Microbiologist | $100,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $64.11 ($133,300 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $133,300 against $117,800 nationally, 13% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $125,900, so Chicago pays 6% more.
Where does Chicago rank for materials scientist pay?
7 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $93,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $197,900 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.