Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $64,500 a year or less, while the top 10% make $143,510 or more. The middle half of medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in Chicago earn between $65,660 and $104,700.
- $64K10th
- $66K25th
- $83KMedian
- $105K75th
- $144K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,240 | $7,853 | $45.31 |
| Median | $83,240 | $6,937 | $40.02 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,660 | $5,472 | $31.57 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $104,700 | $8,725 | $50.34 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($93,230) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($116,840). At the median the gap is -20% against the U.S. median of $103,410.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $94,240 | $83,240 | $64,500 | $143,510 | 3,810 |
| Illinois | $93,230 | $82,330 | $59,550 | $143,890 | 4,700 |
| United States | $116,840 | $103,410 | $64,800 | $177,780 | 172,340 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $94,240, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $70,604 a year, or $5,884 a month and $2,716 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $72,331 | $6,028 |
| Working in IL | $70,604 | $5,884 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $94,240 buys what about $90,970 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in other Illinois cities
Chicago ranks 1st of 4 Illinois metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Chicago$94,240
- Champaign$91,500
- Peoria$85,020
- Springfield$81,240
All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salaries in Illinois
Highest-paying cities for medical scientists (except epidemiologists)
Syracuse, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,580).
- Syracuse, NY$182,580
- Vallejo, CA$162,840
- Topeka, KS$162,650
- Charleston, SC$160,640
- San Francisco, CA$157,540
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Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in Chicago: questions
How much do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) make an hour in Chicago?
$45.31 an hour on average, and $40.02 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level medical scientists (except epidemiologists) salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $64,500 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,660, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the medical scientists (except epidemiologists) take-home pay in Chicago?
About $70,604 a year ($5,884 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,240.
Do medical scientists (except epidemiologists) earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% less than the U.S. average for this job ($116,840).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-1042; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.76, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.76).
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