How much does a political scientist make in Chicago?
$103,800a year
Median yearly pay for political scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $49.89 an hour or $8,648 a month.
- Hourly
- $49.89
- Vs. national median
- -27%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 7
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $85,020Median: $103,800Highest 10%: $143,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $85,020 | $40.88 | |
| 25th | $85,570 | $41.14 | |
| Median | $103,800 | $49.89 | |
| 75th | $103,800 | $49.89 | |
| 90th | $143,100 | $68.80 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for political 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 |
| 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 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $101,600 |
| Microbiologist | $100,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $49.89 ($103,800 a year).
Do political scientists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $103,800 against $142,100 nationally, 27% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $103,800, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for political scientist pay?
5 of 7 metro areas with data.
How much does a political scientist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $85,020 or less a year; the top 10% make $143,100 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.