Physicists Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$81,830
- 25th Percentile — Junior$82,110
- 50th Percentile — Median$137,140
- 75th Percentile — Senior$175,510
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$221,380
Half of Physicists in Illinois earn more than $137,140. The top 10% make $221,380 or more, while entry-level workers start around $81,830.
Physicists in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 35th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $139,780 per year (18.3% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 1,590 people work as Physicists in Illinois — 7.8% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.99: Physicists jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,830; the top 10% earn over $221,380.
- Hourly equivalent: $67.2 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).
Physicists Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Physicists here earn $139,780 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $139,780 is roughly equivalent to $133,124 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($149,060), Idaho ($148,780), Alabama ($147,580) are the closest alternatives for Physicists 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 +5.8% vs this role
- Sociologists $143,940/yr Illinois +3.0% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $129,980/yr Illinois 7.0% vs this role
- Geoscientists $109,290/yr Illinois 21.8% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $103,030/yr Illinois 26.3% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $102,640/yr Illinois 26.6% vs this role
- Chemists $98,420/yr Illinois 29.6% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $97,270/yr Illinois 30.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Illinois?
The average Physicists salary in Illinois is $139,780 per year (median $137,140), which is 18.3% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Illinois rank for Physicists pay?
Illinois ranks 35th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Illinois earn about $81,830 per year and the 25th percentile is $82,110.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Illinois?
About $67.2 per hour, based on the $139,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Illinois?
BLS counts 1,590 Physicists jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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