Materials Scientists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $130,440 +25.2% vs national
Median hourly $62.71
10th percentile $81,160
90th percentile $175,910
Employed locally 360
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,160
    25th
    $99,490
    50th (median)
    $130,440
    75th
    $168,520
    90th
    $175,910

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 147% Median Materials Scientists salary is 47% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,530
    Worcester, MA $142,900
    New Hampshire $136,300
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $135,510
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $133,530
    California $131,530

    Nearby metros — Materials Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Illinois $120,320
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $109,080
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $106,190
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $103,970
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $100,540
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $70,870

    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 Materials Scientists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Chicago, IL-IN is $62.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $95.15 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 25.2% above the national median of $104,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $81,160 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,490.