SalaryNode

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

Physicists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $129,980. This figure is notably below the national average of $177,260, suggesting that while the demand is present, compensation may be influenced by regional economic factors or a higher concentration of early-career professionals in this specific locale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $129,980 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $207,880.
  • Outlook: The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area supports a robust community of 1,580 Physicists, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 2.55. This significantly higher-than-average concentration points to a strong regional demand and a well-established professional network for physicists, suggesting a stable and potentially growing job market within this metropolitan region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$129,980

The average Physicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-26.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$62.5

Weekly

$2,500

Monthly

$10,832

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

Salary progression for Physicists typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior physicists with extensive research, development, or leadership experience can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles signifies substantial career growth and increased earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$78,410$37.7
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$97,485$46.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$131,260$63.1
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$162,475$78.1
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$207,880$99.9

Detailed Physicists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$129,980

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$129,980

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $129,980 for Physicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living (100). This means that the purchasing power of a physicist's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial foundation without the added pressure of higher living expenses.

Job Market Context

1,580

Total Jobs

0.353

Per 1K Jobs

2.55

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 2.5x the national concentration of Physicists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 2.55, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area exhibits a significantly higher concentration of Physicists compared to the national average. This indicates a robust and specialized job market, suggesting abundant opportunities and a competitive environment for both employers seeking talent and professionals advancing their careers.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Physicistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median annual salary for a Physicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $129,980. This typically ranges from $78,410 for entry-level positions to $207,880 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 26.7% lower than the national median of $177,260.

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

Yes, with a caveat.While the average salary of $129,980 is below the national average, the cost of living is also at the national average, and the high concentration of physicists indicates strong regional demand.

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

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 Chicago physicist salary compare to the national average?

Physicists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn an average of $129,980 annually, which is lower than the national average of $177,260.

What is the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN for physicists?

The cost of living index for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning your salary's purchasing power is standard.

Is there high demand for physicists in Chicago?

Yes, the Location Quotient of 2.55 indicates a significantly higher concentration of physicists than the national average, suggesting strong regional demand.

How many physicists work in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area?

There are approximately 1,580 physicists employed within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,580 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.353 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 Physicists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN