Senior Materials Scientist salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 13 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level III in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lemont, Evanston, Skokie, North Chicago, East Chicago.
Also listed as: Research Associate Materials Science
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $83,366 |
| 25th | $90,063 |
| 50th (median) | $109,922 |
| 75th | $126,194 |
| 90th | $131,913 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median senior Materials Scientist salary of $109,922 is worth about $106,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Materials Scientists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $133,340 in May 2025 (460 employed). The H-1B median here is $109,922, 18% lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UChicago Argonne | too few | 5 |
| Northwestern University | too few | 4 |
| INEOS Styrolution America | 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 | $66,265 | 28 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $101,899 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | $109,922 | 13 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
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 | $51,750 | $66,265 | 28 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $106,371 | $101,899 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | $83,366 | $109,922 | 13 |
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.