Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, Chicago

$83,240

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Middle half of wages roughly $65,660 to $104,700.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
−19.5%
US median
$103,410
Metro RPP
103.6
Middle half
$65,660 to $104,700
OEWS employment
3,810
SOC
19-1042

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Chicago pay a median $83,240 (May 2025), 19.5% below the US median of $103,410. At local prices (RPP 103.6), that median buys about what $80,347 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$83,240 in Chicago buys about what $80,347 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 103.6, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 112 vs all-items 103.6 (US = 100, 2024).

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Chicago $83,240 $65,660 to $104,700 103.6
Phoenix $108,390 $81,840 to $136,960 103.3
San Francisco $160,180 $129,090 to $173,960 115.6

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Chicago?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $83,240.
How does Chicago pay compare to the US median for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists?
Local median pay is 19.5% below the national OEWS median of $103,410.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Chicago is 103.6 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $83,240 has about the same purchasing power as $80,347 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.