SalaryNode

Average Chemists Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Chemists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $101,830, significantly surpassing the national average of $94,000. This elevated compensation is often dictated by the region's robust industrial base and demand for specialized scientific expertise, reflecting the economic drivers specific to this major Midwestern hub.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $101,830 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $159,140.
  • Outlook: The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area demonstrates a healthy demand for chemists, evidenced by a local workforce of 2,810 professionals. With a Location Quotient of 1.16, the concentration of chemists in this region is 16% higher than the national average, suggesting a robust and potentially growing job market for this profession.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$101,830

The average Chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns+8.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$49

Weekly

$1,958

Monthly

$8,486

Chemists Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Salary progression for chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior chemists with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, reflecting a clear career trajectory and increasing earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$62,100$29.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$76,373$36.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$100,720$48.4
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$127,288$61.2
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$159,140$76.5

Detailed Chemists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$101,830

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$101,830

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $101,830 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary translates directly into strong purchasing power, allowing chemists in this area to maintain a comparable standard of living to their national counterparts, without the added financial strain of a higher cost of living.

Job Market Context

2,810

Total Jobs

0.628

Per 1K Jobs

1.16

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.16, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Chemists roles compared to the national norm.

A Location Quotient of 1.16 indicates that chemists are more concentrated in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area than the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where employers may actively seek out specialized talent, and professionals have a good selection of opportunities within their field.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Chemists

CitySalaryDist.
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI Chemists Salary$74,950↓ 26%59 mi

Comparing salaries near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Hiring Chemistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chemists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $101,830. This typically ranges from $62,100 for entry-level positions to $159,140 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 8.3% higher than the national median of $94,000.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Chemists?

Yes, it is a lucrative area for Chemists.Chemists in this region earn approximately 8.3% more than the national average, while the cost of living remains at the national average, indicating strong earning potential.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Chemists?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Some top paying nearby cities include Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI ($74,950) and others.

How does the chemist salary in Chicago compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $101,830, which is $7,830 higher than the national average of $94,000.

What is the concentration of chemists in the Chicago area?

The concentration of chemists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.16, meaning there are 16% more chemists per worker than the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the chemist salary in Chicago?

No, the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is exactly at the national average (100), so the higher salary directly translates to greater purchasing power.

How many chemists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area?

There are approximately 2,810 chemists employed within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,810 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.628 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Semantic Salary Analysis for Chemists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN