Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Illinois
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Illinois earn a median of $87,010 a year ($41.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,140 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $127,410. Illinois ranks 22nd of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay. There are 0.03 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.11). The average (mean) salary is $102,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| 25th percentile | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| Median | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| 75th percentile | $136,040 | $65.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,140 | $83.24 |
| Average (mean) | $102,640 | $49.35 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists 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 | $7,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,625.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,346.54 |
| Weekly | $1,673.27 |
| Hourly | $41.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $85,780 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,550 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $94,340 | $45.35 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Epidemiologist | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Forester | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Animal Scientist | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
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 19-1021. 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 biochemists and biophysicists make in Illinois?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Illinois is $87,010 a year, or $41.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Illinois earn at least $173,140 a year. The top 25% earn $136,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,060 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $67,030 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Illinois?
About 150 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.