Expert Chemist salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 26 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Evanston, North Chicago, Lemont, Melrose Park, Libertyville.
Also listed as: Quality Control Chemist, Analytical Chemist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $115,160 |
| 25th | $120,000 |
| 50th (median) | $130,613 |
| 75th | $135,000 |
| 90th | $148,500 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2024 | $112,765 | $100,000 | $122,500 | 13 |
| FY2025 | $120,000 | $115,160 | $136,513 | 11 |
| FY2026 | $131,258 | $126,500 | $135,000 | 15 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Chemist salary of $130,613 is worth about $126,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $90,920 in May 2025 (2,630 employed). The H-1B median here is $130,613, 44% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| AbbVie | $134,000 | 15 |
| Fresenius Kabi | too few | 3 |
| Nexus Pharmaceuticals | 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 | $65,520 | 59 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $79,040 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $101,650 | 27 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,613 | 26 |
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 | $40,082 | $65,520 | 59 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $78,853 | $79,040 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $51,646 | $101,650 | 27 |
| Expert · Level IV | $119,829 | $130,613 | 26 |
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.