Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $95,360 -3.9% vs national
Median hourly $45.85
10th percentile $68,940
90th percentile $150,070
Employed locally 160
National median $99,240

Compare Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary & buying power

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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $68,940
    25th
    $77,760
    50th (median)
    $95,360
    75th
    $126,980
    90th
    $150,070

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary vs area income 107% Median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary is 7% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $168,280
    Midland, TX $165,830
    Texas $155,330
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $142,150
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $136,250
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $130,580

    Nearby metros — Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $142,150
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $129,880
    Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $120,600
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $115,120
    Jacksonville, FL $104,330
    St. Louis, MO-IL $99,950

    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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Chicago, IL-IN is $45.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.42 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries?

    The median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 3.9% below the national median of $99,240. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (10th percentile) earn around $68,940 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,760.