Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Illinois
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois earn a median of $136,540 a year ($65.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 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. Illinois ranks 11th of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay. There are 0.10 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $142,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| 25th percentile | $104,340 | $50.16 |
| Median | $136,540 | $65.64 |
| 75th percentile | $170,390 | $81.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $243,360 | $117.00 |
| Average (mean) | $142,950 | $68.72 |
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 | $11,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,689.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,251.54 |
| Weekly | $2,625.77 |
| Hourly | $65.64 |
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 cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,660 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $135,630 | 490 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $94,700 | 50 |
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.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $132,110 | $63.52 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Computer Network Architect | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,180 | $59.70 |
| Web Developer | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Database Administrator | $104,650 | $50.31 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Database Architect | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Computer Programmer | $72,540 | $34.88 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in Illinois is $136,540 a year, or $65.64 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 Illinois?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in Illinois earn at least $243,360 a year. The top 25% earn $170,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,190 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $104,340 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Illinois?
About 630 computer and information research scientists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.