Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,310 a year or less, while the top 10% make $133,490 or more. The middle half of other social scientists and related workers in Chicago earn between $88,150 and $112,280.
- $68K10th
- $88K25th
- $105KMedian
- $112K75th
- $133K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $104,140 | $8,678 | $50.07 |
| Median | $104,550 | $8,712 | $50.26 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $88,150 | $7,346 | $42.38 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $112,280 | $9,357 | $53.98 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Other social scientists and related workers in Chicago earn 4% more than the Illinois average ($99,870) and 3% less than the U.S. average ($107,690). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $101,110.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $104,140 | $104,550 | $68,310 | $133,490 | 490 |
| Illinois | $99,870 | $99,050 | $68,310 | $130,900 | 730 |
| United States | $107,690 | $101,110 | $66,120 | $160,300 | 37,100 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $104,140, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $77,079 a year, or $6,423 a month and $2,965 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $78,998 | $6,583 |
| Working in IL | $77,079 | $6,423 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for other social scientists and related workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $104,140 buys what about $100,526 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary in other Illinois cities
Chicago ranks 1st of 2 Illinois metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Chicago$104,140
- Champaign$104,070
All Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salaries in Illinois
Highest-paying cities for other social scientists and related workers
Washington, DC pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($141,440).
- Washington, DC$141,440
- Harrisburg, PA$130,910
- College Station, TX$123,170
- Baltimore, MD$120,260
- Charlottesville, VA$119,150
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary by city
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Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary in Chicago: questions
How much do other social scientists and related workers make an hour in Chicago?
$50.07 an hour on average, and $50.26 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other social scientists and related workers salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,310 a year and the 25th percentile is $88,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other social scientists and related workers take-home pay in Chicago?
About $77,079 a year ($6,423 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $104,140.
Do other social scientists and related workers earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% less than the U.S. average for this job ($107,690).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3099; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.45, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.45).
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