How much does a microbiologist make in Chicago?
$100,600a year
Median yearly pay for microbiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $48.38 an hour or $8,385 a month.
- Hourly
- $48.38
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 71
- Jobs in the area
- 1,240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,880Median: $100,600Highest 10%: $134,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,880 | $28.79 | |
| 25th | $66,810 | $32.12 | |
| Median | $100,600 | $48.38 | |
| 75th | $120,500 | $57.94 | |
| 90th | $134,100 | $64.45 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for microbiologists.
| St. Louis, MO | $89,630 |
| Champaign, IL | $66,560 |
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 microbiologist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $48.38 ($100,600 a year).
Do microbiologists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $100,600 against $87,990 nationally, 14% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $92,050, so Chicago pays 9% more.
Where does Chicago rank for microbiologist pay?
15 of 71 metro areas with data.
How much does a microbiologist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $59,880 or less a year; the top 10% make $134,100 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.