Technology Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Data Scientist Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median data scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $120,982 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median and 12.0% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$120,982
vs State Avg
+$12,962
vs National
+$12,962
Cost of Living
107%

Data Scientist Pay in Chicago: What to Expect (2026)

Chicago offers a median data scientist salary of $120,982, which is $12,962 above the Illinois state average of $108,020. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for data scientists in Chicago spans from $68,768 at the 10th percentile to $199,584 at the 90th percentile — a $130,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,640, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $184,800. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Scientist Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level data scientist earns around $80,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $184,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,640
+$8,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,440
+$13,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$184,800
+$19,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $68,768
25th Percentile $94,304
Median (50th) $120,982
75th Percentile $157,920
90th Percentile $199,584

Data Scientist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$122,063
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$108,020
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$97,218
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$93,977
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Data Scientist in Chicago

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Chicago

Browse open data scientist positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Chicago

How much does a Data Scientist make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Chicago, Illinois is $120,982 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $68,768 (10th percentile) to $199,584 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $120,982, a data scientist in Chicago earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Chicago's median data scientist salary of $120,982 is 12.0% above the Illinois state average of $108,020. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $120,982 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Chicago? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.