Neurologists Salary
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, neurologists earn $136,030 at the median, or about $65.4 an hour. The range runs from $85K at the entry level to $481K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $242K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $131,316 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 21.6% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $136K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About neurologists
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What this looks like in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Pay for neurologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin runs about 45% below the U.S. median of $249K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,781/month, 22% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 103.59) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin can be a reasonable trade-off for neurologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for neurologists in metros near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $366K | $382K |
| Lexington-Fayette | $85K | $91K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level neurologists (10th percentile) start around $85K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K. Top earners bring in $481K or more, a $396K spread from bottom to top.
Neurologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Neurologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $435K | +75% | 40 |
| Arizona | $410K | +65% | 80 |
| Minnesota | $382K | +54% | 310 |
| Texas | $361K | +45% | 660 |
| California | $357K | +44% | 1,090 |
| Colorado | $356K | +43% | 120 |
| Alaska | $355K | +43% | 100 |
| South Carolina | $353K | +42% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $343K | +38% | 130 |
| Kentucky | $339K | +36% | 230 |
| District of Columbia | $332K | +34% | 50 |
| Washington | $327K | +32% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $326K | +31% | 180 |
| Florida | $323K | +30% | 520 |
| Connecticut | $321K | +29% | 120 |
| Arkansas | $318K | +28% | 70 |
| Maryland | $303K | +22% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $269K | +8% | 80 |
| Illinois | $237K | -5% | 240 |
| Tennessee | $230K | -8% | 220 |
| New Jersey | $222K | -11% | 140 |
| Indiana | $220K | -11% | 360 |
| New York | $156K | -37% | 2,810 |
| West Virginia | $64K | -74% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 24 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track neurologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a neurologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Yes — at the median salary of $136K, rent takes 22% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,781/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for neurologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new neurologists typically earn — is $85K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,108/month. At HUD’s $1,781/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is neurologist a high-paying job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Local pay runs 45% below the national median — $136K here vs. $249K nationally.
How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare to the national average for neurologists?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pays $136K median vs. the U.S. average of $249K — that’s -45%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.59), the purchasing-power equivalent is $131K — below the national median.
How much do neurologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $136,030 a year, that works out to about $65 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,140, and experienced neurologists can clear $481,040. The mean (average) is $242,360, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,083/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 22% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a neurologists 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 neurologists salary is worth about $131,316 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do neurologists 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.