Animal Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $59,900 -24.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.80
10th percentile $50,240
90th percentile $105,410
Employed locally 40
National median $79,120

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Animal Scientists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,240
    25th
    $53,880
    50th (median)
    $59,900
    75th
    $79,540
    90th
    $105,410

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Animal Scientists salary vs area income 67% Median Animal Scientists salary is 33% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Animal Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $218,610
    Minnesota $138,030
    Missouri $119,110
    Georgia $114,560
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,540
    Iowa $95,680

    Nearby metros — Animal Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $218,610
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $76,560
    Illinois $60,590

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Animal Scientists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Animal Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $28.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.68 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Animal Scientists salaries?

    The median Animal Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 24.3% below the national median of $79,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Animal Scientists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Animal Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $50,240 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,880.