Materials Scientist salary in Illinois
Materials Scientists in Illinois earn a median of $125,850 a year ($60.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,130 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $117,790. Illinois ranks 12th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.06 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $129,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,070 | $40.42 |
| 25th percentile | $104,350 | $50.17 |
| Median | $125,850 | $60.50 |
| 75th percentile | $145,620 | $70.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,130 | $88.53 |
| Average (mean) | $129,980 | $62.49 |
Half of materials 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 | $10,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,243.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,840.38 |
| Weekly | $2,420.19 |
| Hourly | $60.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $133,340 | 460 |
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
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 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| 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 19-2032. 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 materials scientist make in Illinois?
The median salary for materials scientists in Illinois is $125,850 a year, or $60.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Illinois earn at least $184,130 a year. The top 25% earn $145,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,070 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $104,350 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Illinois?
About 380 materials scientists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.