Natural Sciences Manager salary in Illinois
Natural Sciences Managers in Illinois earn a median of $159,670 a year ($76.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,660 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $167,220. Illinois ranks 8th of 48 states for natural sciences managers pay. There are 0.46 natural sciences managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $167,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for natural sciences managers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,210 | $40.97 |
| 25th percentile | $115,190 | $55.38 |
| Median | $159,670 | $76.77 |
| 75th percentile | $208,440 | $100.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $281,660 | $135.42 |
| Average (mean) | $167,700 | $80.63 |
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 | $13,305.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,652.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,141.15 |
| Weekly | $3,070.58 |
| Hourly | $76.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Natural Sciences Manager salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $167,040 | 2,270 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $158,820 | 650 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,900 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $122,390 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $107,630 | 160 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $140,240 | $67.42 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Construction Manager | $109,160 | $52.48 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $113,360 | — |
| Food Service Manager | $63,930 | $30.73 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $163,610 | $78.66 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Lodging Manager | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $94,970 | $45.66 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for natural sciences managers in Illinois is $159,670 a year, or $76.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid natural sciences managers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of natural sciences managers in Illinois earn at least $281,660 a year. The top 25% earn $208,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for natural sciences managers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,210 a year, and a quarter of natural sciences managers earn $115,190 or less.
How many natural sciences managers work in Illinois?
About 2,810 natural sciences managers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.