Physicists Salary in Illinois
Physicists in Illinois earn a median of $137,140 a year, −20% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $137,140
- vs. U.S. median
- −20% ($172,250)
- Rank among states
- 30 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 1,590
Pay range in Illinois
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,830; the top 10% earn over $221,380. Nationally the range is $82,110 to $274,110.
States ranked near Illinois
Similar jobs in Illinois
- Mathematicians$130,970 median in Illinois
- Computer and Information Research Scientists$136,540 median in Illinois
- Bioinformatics Scientists$82,640 median in Illinois (broader BLS group)
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$96,950 median in Illinois
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$87,010 median in Illinois
- Materials Scientists$125,850 median in Illinois
Physicists pay in Illinois
How much do physicists make in Illinois?
The median is $137,140 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,830 and the top 10% earn over $221,380. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is Illinois a good state for physicists?
On pay alone it ranks 30 of 43 (−20% vs. the national median of $172,250). Living costs are not included.