Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $135,120 -4.1% vs national
Median hourly $64.96
10th percentile $47,810
90th percentile $210,040
Employed locally 230
National median $140,910

Compare Computer and Information Research Scientists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Computer and Information Research Scientists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,810
    25th
    $47,810
    50th (median)
    $135,120
    75th
    $165,350
    90th
    $210,040

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Computer and Information Research Scientists salary vs area income 152% Median Computer and Information Research Scientists salary is 52% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Computer and Information Research Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $232,120
    Richmond, VA $231,930
    Washington $221,990
    Rochester, NY $204,340
    New York $197,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $191,880

    Nearby metros — Computer and Information Research Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $169,510
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $161,850
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $136,500
    Illinois $135,120
    Charlottesville, VA $134,160
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $133,290

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Software Developers $130,030
    Computer User Support Specialists $59,570
    Computer Systems Analysts $99,510
    Computer Occupations, All Other $102,080
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $98,790
    Data Scientists $112,640

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $64.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $117.00 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries?

    The median Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 4.1% below the national median of $140,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Chicago?

    Entry-level Computer and Information Research Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $47,810 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,810.