How much does a physicist make in Chicago?
$137,100a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $65.93 an hour or $11,430 a month.
- Hourly
- $65.93
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 1,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,830Median: $137,100Highest 10%: $221,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,830 | $39.34 | |
| 25th | $82,110 | $39.48 | |
| Median | $137,100 | $65.93 | |
| 75th | $175,500 | $84.38 | |
| 90th | $221,400 | $106.43 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| 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 |
| Microbiologist | $100,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $65.93 ($137,100 a year).
Do physicists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $137,100 against $172,300 nationally, 20% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $137,100, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for physicist pay?
42 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $81,830 or less a year; the top 10% make $221,400 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.