Technology Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Data Scientist Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median data scientist salary in Rockford, IL is $93,977 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 13% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$93,977
vs State Avg
$-14,043
vs National
$-14,043
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median data scientist salary of $93,977, which is $14,043 below the Illinois state average of $108,020. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $93,977 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $114,606 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Rockford spans from $53,418 at the 10th percentile to $155,034 at the 90th percentile — a $101,616 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $62,640, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $143,550. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level data scientist earns around $62,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $143,550 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,440
$-14,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$143,550
$-21,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $53,418
25th Percentile $73,254
Median (50th) $93,977
75th Percentile $122,670
90th Percentile $155,034

Data Scientist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$122,063
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$120,982
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$108,020
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$97,218
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Data Scientist in Rockford

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Rockford 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 Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Rockford

Browse open data scientist positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Rockford

How much does a Data Scientist make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Rockford, Illinois is $93,977 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $53,418 (10th percentile) to $155,034 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,977, a data scientist in Rockford earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Rockford's median data scientist salary of $93,977 is 13% below the Illinois state average of $108,020. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $93,977 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Rockford? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Rockford 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.