Materials Scientists Salary in Illinois
The median pay for a materials scientists in Illinois is $120,320/year ($57.85/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $120K get you in Illinois?
About materials scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $120K.Top earners bring in $169K or more - a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $136K | +31% | 80 |
| California | $132K | +26% | 610 |
| New York | $125K | +20% | 630 |
| Florida | $123K | +18% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $121K | +16% | 140 |
| Illinois | $120K | +16% | 470 |
| Virginia | $119K | +14% | 160 |
| Utah | $119K | +14% | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $118K | +14% | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $116K | +11% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $114K | +10% | 360 |
| Washington | $110K | +6% | 290 |
| Maryland | $106K | +2% | 200 |
| Oregon | $104K | -0% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $103K | -1% | 290 |
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in Illinois?
The median is $120,320 a year - that works out to about $57.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,980, and experienced materials scientists can clear $168,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $120K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,253/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 16.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a materials scientists salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials scientists salary is worth about $120,320 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do materials 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.