Astronomer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Evanston, Batavia.
Median salary$81,499
Middle 50%$78.3k–$84.7k
vs. national median−2%comparison median $83,496
Filings14FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,594 |
| 25th | $78,250 |
| 50th (median) | $81,499 |
| 75th | $84,666 |
| 90th | $85,196 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Astronomer salary of $81,499 is worth about $78,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | too few | 5 |
| Northwestern University | too few | 4 |
| The University of Chicago | too few | 3 |
| Fermi Forward Discovery Group | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $79,000 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 3 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $63,232 | $79,000 | 11 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.