Average Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Biochemists and Biophysicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $85,290. This figure is notably below the national average of $117,200, suggesting localized market dynamics and potentially different demand levels are influencing compensation in this region. The specific economic landscape and industry concentration within Chicago contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $85,290 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $165,710.
- Outlook: The local job market for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, while not heavily concentrated, shows a stable presence with a total workforce of 210 individuals. The low Location Quotient of 0.21 indicates that this profession is less prevalent here compared to the national average, suggesting a niche market rather than a high-demand hub for these specialized roles.
Salary Overview
The average Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-27.2%below the national average.
$41
$1,640
$7,108
Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this localized segment is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Biochemists and Biophysicists nationwide have experienced a steady upward trend over the past four years, driven by advancements in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare research. This national growth likely translates to some level of salary appreciation within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, albeit potentially at a different pace than the national average.
Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Salary progression for Biochemists and Biophysicists typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior scientists with extensive research, development, and leadership experience can command substantially higher salaries. The percentile gaps in compensation clearly signify career progression, with mid-career and senior professionals occupying the higher salary brackets due to their specialized skills and contributions.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $52,440 | $25.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $63,968 | $30.8 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $67,100 | $32.3 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $106,613 | $51.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $165,710 | $79.7 |
Detailed Biochemists and Biophysicists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$85,290
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$85,290
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $85,290 for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, aligns precisely with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is equivalent to the national standard, making the effective take-home value of the salary comparable to other regions.
Job Market Context
210
Total Jobs
0.046
Per 1K Jobs
0.21
Location Quotient
At 0.21x, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a notably lower concentration of Biochemists and Biophysicists jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.
With a Location Quotient of 0.21, the market for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, is less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the field is not a primary driver of employment in the region, indicating a more specialized or niche job market with potentially fewer openings compared to areas with a higher concentration of biotech and research industries.
Nearby Job Markets
Hiring Biochemists and Biophysicistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Biochemists and Biophysicists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median annual salary for a Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $85,290. This typically ranges from $52,440 for entry-level positions to $165,710 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 27.2% lower than the national median of $117,200.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Biochemists and Biophysicists?
No, not compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary of $85,290 is significantly lower than the national average of $117,200, indicating less lucrative compensation in this specific metropolitan area.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Biochemists and Biophysicists?
The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
How does the local workforce size affect job prospects?
A local workforce of 210 suggests a relatively small pool of Biochemists and Biophysicists, which could mean fewer specialized roles but also potentially less competition for available positions.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.21 mean for job seekers?
A Location Quotient of 0.21 indicates that Biochemists and Biophysicists are less common in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin than the national average, implying a niche market with potentially fewer job openings but also less direct competition.
How does the Cost of Living Index impact the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the $85,290 salary in Chicago has the same purchasing power as the national average salary, meaning your money goes as far locally as it does nationally.
Are there many job opportunities for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Chicago?
The low concentration (LQ of 0.21) and relatively small number of jobs per 1,000 workers (0.046) suggest that the job market for these specific roles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is not extensive, indicating a more specialized demand.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 210 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.046 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Biochemists and Biophysicists Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- All Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Management Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Production Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Browse All Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Biochemists and Biophysicists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN