Physical Scientists, All Other Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a physical scientists, all other in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $122,950/year ($59.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $118,689 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 23.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $123K 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 physical scientists, all others
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level physical scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $107K spread from bottom to top.
Physical Scientists, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $167K | +42% | 600 |
| District of Columbia | $158K | +34% | 860 |
| Massachusetts | $144K | +22% | 520 |
| Maryland | $143K | +21% | 1,900 |
| North Dakota | $138K | +17% | N/A |
| Washington | $135K | +15% | 510 |
| South Carolina | $134K | +14% | 100 |
| Georgia | $132K | +12% | 1,040 |
| Alabama | $132K | +12% | 150 |
| California | $128K | +9% | 2,220 |
| Virginia | $128K | +9% | 1,560 |
| New Mexico | $127K | +8% | 240 |
| Florida | $123K | +4% | 390 |
| Arizona | $120K | +2% | 170 |
| Kansas | $115K | -3% | 130 |
| New York | $114K | -3% | 1,600 |
| Alaska | $114K | -3% | 180 |
| Tennessee | $114K | -4% | 110 |
| North Carolina | $111K | -5% | 570 |
| Hawaii | $111K | -6% | 110 |
| Missouri | $111K | -6% | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $110K | -6% | 70 |
| Oregon | $109K | -7% | 250 |
| Illinois | $109K | -8% | 560 |
| Utah | $107K | -9% | 120 |
| Mississippi | $106K | -11% | 380 |
| Michigan | $105K | -11% | 190 |
| Ohio | $103K | -13% | 500 |
| New Jersey | $102K | -13% | 820 |
| Nebraska | $99K | -16% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | -16% | 680 |
| Texas | $98K | -17% | 1,810 |
| Wisconsin | $94K | -20% | 80 |
| Idaho | $90K | -24% | 110 |
| Montana | $85K | -28% | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $85K | -28% | 240 |
| Kentucky | $81K | -31% | 250 |
| Iowa | $80K | -32% | 30 |
| Louisiana | $75K | -36% | 350 |
| Wyoming | $66K | -44% | 60 |
| Indiana | $64K | -45% | 1,240 |
Showing 1–10 of 41 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physical scientists, all other 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 physical scientists, all others make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $122,950 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,920, and experienced physical scientists, all others can clear $171,420. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,392/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 24.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physical scientists, all other 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 physical scientists, all other salary is worth about $118,689 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physical scientists, all others 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.