Atmospheric and Space Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $119,270 +22.4% vs national
Median hourly $57.34
10th percentile $51,990
90th percentile —
Employed locally 60
National median $97,450

Compare Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Atmospheric and Space Scientists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,990
    25th
    $98,550
    50th (median)
    $119,270
    75th
    $173,200

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary vs area income 134% Median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary is 34% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Atmospheric and Space Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,370
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $134,060
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $132,850
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $128,940
    Hawaii $122,180
    Urban Honolulu, HI $122,180

    Nearby metros — Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,600
    St. Louis, MO-IL $115,750
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $113,030
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,950
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $85,700
    Huntsville, AL $84,720

    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 Atmospheric and Space Scientists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $57.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $259.77 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Atmospheric and Space Scientists salaries?

    The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 22.4% above the national median of $97,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Atmospheric and Space Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $51,990 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,550.