Physicists Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a physicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $131,260/year ($63.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $208K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $126,711 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 22.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $131K 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 physicists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level physicists (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $208K or more, a $129K spread from bottom to top.
Physicists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $223K | +34% | 60 |
| Florida | $209K | +26% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $208K | +25% | 540 |
| Arizona | $191K | +15% | 70 |
| Oregon | $184K | +11% | 120 |
| California | $181K | +9% | 6,220 |
| Missouri | $180K | +9% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $179K | +8% | 30 |
| New Mexico | $176K | +6% | 770 |
| New York | $174K | +5% | 1,190 |
| Wisconsin | $174K | +5% | 220 |
| Tennessee | $174K | +4% | 260 |
| Connecticut | $172K | +3% | 70 |
| North Carolina | $171K | +3% | 170 |
| Texas | $170K | +3% | 700 |
| Kentucky | $169K | +1% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $169K | +1% | 320 |
| Virginia | $164K | -1% | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $164K | -1% | 1,420 |
| Massachusetts | $154K | -7% | 570 |
| District of Columbia | $153K | -8% | 570 |
| Ohio | $136K | -18% | 710 |
| Utah | $134K | -19% | 60 |
| Idaho | $132K | -21% | 170 |
| Arkansas | $132K | -21% | 80 |
| Georgia | $132K | -21% | 190 |
| Illinois | $131K | -21% | 1,660 |
| South Carolina | $131K | -21% | 370 |
| Iowa | $121K | -27% | 120 |
| Mississippi | $121K | -27% | 70 |
| Washington | $120K | -28% | 430 |
| Nevada | $116K | -30% | N/A |
| Alabama | $115K | -31% | 360 |
| Maine | $115K | -31% | N/A |
| Indiana | $110K | -34% | 160 |
| Michigan | $108K | -35% | 550 |
| Oklahoma | $85K | -49% | 40 |
| Delaware | $83K | -50% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $78K | -53% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track physicists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do physicists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $131,260 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,410, and experienced physicists can clear $207,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,831/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 22.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a physicists 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 physicists salary is worth about $126,711 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physicists 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.