Expert Food Scientist salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Hoffman Estates, Glenview, Naperville, Skokie, Itasca.
Also listed as: Food Technologist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $115,314 |
| 25th | $123,560 |
| 50th (median) | $130,000 |
| 75th | $150,000 |
| 90th | $150,000 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Food Scientist salary of $130,000 is worth about $125,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Food Scientists and Technologists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $100,390 in May 2025 (610 employed). The H-1B median here is $130,000, 29% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America | too few | 3 |
| Barry Callebaut | 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 | $70,000 | 19 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $82,451 | 23 |
| Senior · Level III | $100,880 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,000 | 15 |
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 | $62,962 | $70,000 | 19 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $79,518 | $82,451 | 23 |
| Senior · Level III | $100,880 | $100,880 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $119,309 | $130,000 | 15 |
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.