Illinois Median
$106,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $120,230
State Rank
#22 of 49
10,520 employed here
How much does a Data Scientist make in Illinois?
Data Scientists in Illinois take home a median of $106,560 annually — roughly $51.23 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $120,230.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $68,810 while the top 10% make $168,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $84,610 and $137,290 a year.
Data Scientist salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,810 | $33.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $84,610 | $40.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,560 | $51.23 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $137,290 | $66.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,880 | $81.19 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 22nd out of 49 states and territories for Data Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Data Scientist salary in other states
Washington $163,350California $141,590Maryland $136,370New Jersey $135,280Massachusetts $131,750New York $130,460Minnesota $128,800Vermont $127,070District of Columbia $126,490Virginia $126,430Connecticut $126,340Oregon $125,990Texas $122,090North Carolina $119,090Colorado $117,400Florida $115,820Arkansas $109,390Utah $108,090Arizona $107,240Pennsylvania $106,850Wisconsin $106,680Georgia $104,340Alabama $103,120Ohio $102,630Rhode Island $102,440Hawaii $102,130New Hampshire $100,620Michigan $100,590Montana $100,490Tennessee $100,330Nevada $98,540Nebraska $98,230Kansas $98,130Missouri $97,090South Dakota $96,150New Mexico $95,850Iowa $95,830South Carolina $91,990Kentucky $91,760Indiana $91,470Maine $90,880Idaho $89,380Oklahoma $86,310West Virginia $85,090Alaska $84,110North Dakota $81,900Louisiana $78,760Mississippi $69,490
Working as a Data Scientist in Illinois
Nationally, about 262,000 people work as Data Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($106,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Data Scientist make in Illinois?
The median Data Scientist salary in Illinois is $106,560 per year, or about $51.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,810 at the entry level to $168,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Data Scientists about 11% less than the national median of $120,230. Illinois ranks 22nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Data Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $106,560 a year. About 10,520 Data Scientists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Data Scientist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.