Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a atmospheric and space scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $119,270/year ($57.34/hour), per BLS data. Entry-level workers start around $52K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $115,137 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $119K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About atmospheric and space scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level atmospheric and space scientists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $122K | +25% | 60 |
| California | $118K | +21% | 580 |
| Idaho | $117K | +20% | 50 |
| Missouri | $116K | +20% | 140 |
| Oregon | $116K | +19% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $114K | +17% | 60 |
| Virginia | $112K | +15% | 150 |
| Nebraska | $110K | +13% | 80 |
| Tennessee | $110K | +13% | 120 |
| Montana | $107K | +10% | 60 |
| Maryland | $105K | +7% | 710 |
| Louisiana | $104K | +7% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $104K | +7% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $104K | +7% | 140 |
| Nevada | $104K | +6% | 120 |
Track atmospheric and space scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do atmospheric and space scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $119,270 a year - that works out to about $57.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,198/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 24.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a atmospheric and space scientists salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median atmospheric and space scientists salary is worth about $115,137 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do atmospheric and space scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.