Expert Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 20 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes North Chicago, Evanston, Abbott Park, Maywood, Skokie.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,629 |
| 25th | $95,893 |
| 50th (median) | $118,999 |
| 75th | $134,250 |
| 90th | $206,000 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary of $118,999 is worth about $114,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Molecular and Cellular Biologists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $85,680 in May 2025 (780 employed). The H-1B median here is $118,999, 39% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tempus AI | too few | 5 |
| The University of Chicago | too few | 4 |
| AbbVie | too few | 2 |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | 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 | $66,496 | 64 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $81,433 | 35 |
| Senior · Level III | $82,000 | 39 |
| Expert · Level IV | $118,999 | 20 |
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 | $58,926 | $66,496 | 64 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $64,501 | $81,433 | 35 |
| Senior · Level III | $58,510 | $82,000 | 39 |
| Expert · Level IV | $101,587 | $118,999 | 20 |
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.