Physicists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Median annual salary
$131,260
-21.1% vs national
Median hourly
$63.11
10th percentile
$78,410
90th percentile
$207,880
Employed locally
1,580
National median
$166,290
Compare Physicists salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Physicists
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Chicago economic context
Unemployment rate
5.10%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$88,850
2023 • Census ACS
Physicists salary vs area income
148%
Median Physicists salary is 48% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Physicists make per hour in Chicago?
The median hourly wage for Physicists in Chicago, IL-IN is $63.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $106.43 or more per hour.
Is Chicago above or below average for Physicists salaries?
The median Physicists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 21.1% below the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Physicists in Chicago?
Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $78,410 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,590.