Microbiologist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Microbiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $100,620 a year ($48.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,050 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $87,990. Pay here is 9% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $92,050. There are 0.28 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,550, close to the median.
Pay range for microbiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| 25th percentile | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| Median | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| 75th percentile | $120,520 | $57.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,050 | $64.45 |
| Average (mean) | $95,550 | $45.94 |
Half of microbiologists 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 | $8,385 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,192.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,870 |
| Weekly | $1,935 |
| Hourly | $48.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Microbiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $93,240 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $89,630 | 120 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $77,770 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,560 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $65,910 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 |
| California | $108,530 |
| Maryland | $108,470 |
| Georgia | $103,070 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 |
| Illinois | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $87,750 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 |
See Microbiologist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Conservation Scientist | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| Epidemiologist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Forester | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,630 | $48.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science 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 19-1022. 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 microbiologist make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for microbiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $100,620 a year, or $48.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of microbiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $134,050 a year. The top 25% earn $120,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,880 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $66,810 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,240 microbiologists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.