Natural Sciences Manager salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Natural Sciences Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $167,040 a year ($80.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $293,270 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $167,220. Pay here is 5% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $159,670. There are 0.50 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $174,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| 25th percentile | $126,770 | $60.95 |
| Median | $167,040 | $80.31 |
| 75th percentile | $216,000 | $103.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $293,270 | $140.99 |
| Average (mean) | $174,760 | $84.02 |
Half of natural sciences managers 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 | $13,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,960 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,424.62 |
| Weekly | $3,212.31 |
| Hourly | $80.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $164,300 | 520 |
| Bloomington, IN | $160,260 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $158,820 | 650 |
| Evansville, IN | $152,320 | 70 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $142,640 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,900 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $122,390 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $120,000 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $107,630 | 160 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $92,260 | 1,110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,720 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $74,990 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for natural sciences managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $267,290 |
| Connecticut | $210,670 |
| California | $210,230 |
| New Jersey | $207,030 |
| Washington | $182,480 |
| North Carolina | $173,870 |
| Maryland | $168,620 |
| Illinois | $159,670 |
| District of Columbia | $156,730 |
| Kansas | $153,820 |
See Natural Sciences Manager pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $145,370 | $69.89 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Construction Manager | $117,280 | $56.39 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $128,780 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,980 | $37.49 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $163,430 | $78.57 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $101,070 | $48.59 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $59,150 | $28.44 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| Lodging Manager | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Gambling Manager | $80,170 | $38.54 |
More: Management 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 11-9121. 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 natural sciences manager make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $167,040 a year, or $80.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $293,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $293,270 a year. The top 25% earn $216,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,010 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $126,770 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,270 natural sciences managers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.