Illinois Median
$125,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#12 of 30
380 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Illinois?
A Materials Scientist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $125,850 per year, or about $60.50 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $117,790 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $84,070 while the top 10% make $184,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,350 and $145,620 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,070 | $40.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,350 | $50.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $125,850 | $60.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $145,620 | $70.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,130 | $88.52 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 12th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
California $177,030Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Virginia $124,150New Hampshire $119,990Colorado $117,290Kansas $115,490Maryland $112,400Ohio $108,830Michigan $107,410Pennsylvania $106,920North Carolina $106,470New Jersey $103,150Florida $102,340South Carolina $101,930Nevada $97,490Georgia $91,970Iowa $88,320Texas $72,700Montana $71,810Tennessee $69,010
Working as a Materials Scientist in Illinois
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Materials 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 ($125,850) 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 Materials Scientist make in Illinois?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Illinois is $125,850 per year, or about $60.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $84,070 at the entry level to $184,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Materials Scientists about 7% more than the national median of $117,790. Illinois ranks 12th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $125,850 a year. About 380 Materials Scientists are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Materials 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.