Science & Research Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Epidemiologist Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median epidemiologist salary in Chicago, IL is $84,016 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$84,016
vs State Avg
+$9,422
vs National
+$5,496
Cost of Living
107%

Epidemiologist Pay in Chicago: What to Expect (2026)

Chicago offers a median epidemiologist salary of $84,016, which is $9,422 above the Illinois state average of $74,594. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 epidemiologists in Chicago spans from $53,500 at the 10th percentile to $134,820 at the 90th percentile — a $81,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,640, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,400. 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.

Epidemiologist Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $55,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,640
+$3,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$85,600
+$5,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,400
+$8,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $53,500
25th Percentile $66,340
Median (50th) $84,016
75th Percentile $108,070
90th Percentile $134,820

Epidemiologist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$84,802
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$74,594
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$66,742
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$64,386
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Chicago

Education

Most epidemiologist positions require a master's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Chicago

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Chicago

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Chicago, Illinois is $84,016 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $53,500 (10th percentile) to $134,820 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,016, a epidemiologist in Chicago earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Chicago's median epidemiologist salary of $84,016 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $74,594. 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 epidemiologist salary of $84,016 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Chicago? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Chicago require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.