Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $135,630 a year ($65.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $243,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $136,540. There are 0.11 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $143,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| 25th percentile | $104,260 | $50.13 |
| Median | $135,630 | $65.21 |
| 75th percentile | $170,140 | $81.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $243,360 | $117.00 |
| Average (mean) | $143,490 | $68.99 |
Half of computer and information research 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 | $11,302.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,651.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,216.54 |
| Weekly | $2,608.27 |
| Hourly | $65.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $155,910 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,660 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $94,700 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $86,800 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for computer and information research scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $206,220 |
| Washington | $202,400 |
| New York | $181,990 |
| Massachusetts | $170,510 |
| New Mexico | $165,690 |
| California | $159,100 |
| Virginia | $157,390 |
| Maryland | $145,310 |
| District of Columbia | $144,190 |
| New Jersey | $140,840 |
See Computer and Information Research Scientists pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,380 | $64.60 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | $49.76 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Computer Network Architect | $143,800 | $69.14 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,310 | $60.25 |
| Web Developer | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Database Administrator | $109,680 | $52.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Database Architect | $147,490 | $70.91 |
| Computer Programmer | $99,750 | $47.96 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1221. 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 computer and information research scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $135,630 a year, or $65.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $243,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $243,360 a year. The top 25% earn $170,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,190 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $104,260 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 490 computer and information research scientists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.