Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois make a median of $136,540 a year, or about $65.64 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $243K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $145,487 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 17% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $137K get you in Illinois?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Illinois
Computer and information research scientists pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $137K locally vs. $140K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 17.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K. Top earners bring in $243K or more, a $194K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Illinois
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $136K | -1% | 490 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $95K | -31% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $137K, rent takes 17.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,951/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $137K locally vs. $140K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Illinois pays $137K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $145K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Illinois?
The median is $136,540 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,190, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $243,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,110/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 17.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer and information research scientists salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer and information research scientists salary is worth about $145,487 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer and information research 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.