Epidemiologist salary in Illinois
Epidemiologists in Illinois earn a median of $102,720 a year ($49.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,800 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $87,220. Illinois ranks 7th of 42 states for epidemiologists pay. There are 0.04 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $97,690, close to the median.
Pay range for epidemiologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,570 | $31.52 |
| 25th percentile | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Median | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| 75th percentile | $106,230 | $51.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,800 | $66.73 |
| Average (mean) | $97,690 | $46.97 |
Half of epidemiologists 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 | $8,560 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,280 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,950.77 |
| Weekly | $1,975.38 |
| Hourly | $49.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Epidemiologist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,780 | 210 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
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 |
| Forester | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| 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 19-1041. 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 epidemiologist make in Illinois?
The median salary for epidemiologists in Illinois is $102,720 a year, or $49.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in Illinois earn at least $138,800 a year. The top 25% earn $106,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,570 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $77,580 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in Illinois?
About 240 epidemiologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.