Materials Scientists Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$84,070
- 25th Percentile — Junior$104,350
- 50th Percentile — Median$125,850
- 75th Percentile — Senior$145,620
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$184,130
Half of Materials Scientists in Illinois earn more than $125,850. The top 10% make $184,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $84,070.
Materials Scientists in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 7th of 30 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $129,980 per year (3.0% above the U.S. average of $126,180).
- 380 people work as Materials Scientists in Illinois — 4.5% of all U.S. Materials Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.15: Materials Scientists jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $84,070; the top 10% earn over $184,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $62.49 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $189,460.
- Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).
Materials Scientists Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Materials Scientists here earn $129,980 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $129,980 is roughly equivalent to $123,790 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($141,040), Washington ($139,140), New York ($138,200) are the closest alternatives for Materials Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $147,860/yr Illinois +13.8% vs this role
- Sociologists $143,940/yr Illinois +10.7% vs this role
- Physicists $139,780/yr Illinois +7.5% vs this role
- Geoscientists $109,290/yr Illinois 15.9% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $103,030/yr Illinois 20.7% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $102,640/yr Illinois 21.0% vs this role
- Chemists $98,420/yr Illinois 24.3% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $97,270/yr Illinois 25.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Materials Scientists salary in Illinois?
The average Materials Scientists salary in Illinois is $129,980 per year (median $125,850), which is 3.0% above the national average of $126,180.
How does Illinois rank for Materials Scientists pay?
Illinois ranks 7th out of 30 states. The highest-paying state is California ($189,460/yr).
How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in Illinois earn about $84,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $104,350.
How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Illinois?
About $62.49 per hour, based on the $129,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Materials Scientists work in Illinois?
BLS counts 380 Materials Scientists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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