Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Illinois
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Illinois earn a median of $112,280 a year ($53.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,910 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $99,070. Illinois ranks 10th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.02 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $147,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| 25th percentile | $84,220 | $40.49 |
| Median | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| 75th percentile | $145,860 | $70.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,910 | $101.88 |
| Average (mean) | $147,860 | $71.09 |
Half of atmospheric and space scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,356.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,678.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,318.46 |
| Weekly | $2,159.23 |
| Hourly | $53.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $133,490 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $111,650 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 |
| California | $124,920 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 |
| Idaho | $119,430 |
| New York | $117,540 |
| Florida | $115,960 |
| Arizona | $115,020 |
| Missouri | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $112,280 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $108,970 | $52.39 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $96,950 | $46.61 |
| Materials Scientist | $125,850 | $60.50 |
| Hydrologist | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientists make in Illinois?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois is $112,280 a year, or $53.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois earn at least $211,910 a year. The top 25% earn $145,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,710 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $84,220 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Illinois?
About 110 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.