Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Illinois
Based on 630+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$136,540
$65.64/hr
vs National Average
$133,027
+2.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$49K – $243K
630 employed in Illinois
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois earn a median salary of $136,540 per year, which is 3% above the national average. With approximately 630 workers employed in this field across the state, Illinois offers competitive compensation for research-focused technology professionals. The salary range spans from $49,190 to $243,360 annually, reflecting significant variation based on experience and specialization.
Several factors influence Computer and Information Research Scientist salary in Illinois, including education level, years of experience, employer type, and research focus area. Advanced degrees and specialized expertise in emerging technologies typically command higher compensation. Additionally, geographic location within Illinois, whether working for academic institutions, private industry, or government agencies, can impact earning potential and career progression opportunities.
Salary Distribution — Computer and Information Research Scientist in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,190 |
| 25th percentile | $104,340 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $136,540 |
| 75th percentile | $170,390 |
| 90th percentile | $243,360 |
Top H-1B Employers for Computer and Information Research Scientist in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UChicago Argonne, LLC | 8 | $84,998 |
| 2 | UChicago Argonne LLC | 3 | $90,063 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Computer and Information Research Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $72,879 | 7 |
| Level II | Qualified | $92,274 | 10 |
| Level III | Experienced | $128,190 | 6 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $168,307 | 6 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Computer and Information Research Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Computer and Information Research Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $214,370 | 4K |
| Wholesale Trade | $178,640 | 810 |
| Manufacturing | $177,580 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $166,880 | 160 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $163,290 | 530 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Computer and Information Research Scientist in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,330 |
| 2023 | $116,450 |
| 2024 | $135,120 |
| 2025 | $136,540 |
| 2026 (projected) | $137,975 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,330 | $120,162 |
| 2023 | $116,450 | $127,853 |
| 2024 | $135,120 | $131,937 |
| 2025 | $136,540 | $133,027 |
| 2026 (projected) | $137,975 | $134,425 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $104,340 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $136,540 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $170,390 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $243,360 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Computer and Information Research Scientist Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Computer and Information Research Scientist ($136,540 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Computer and Information Research Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IL | $171,730 | +25.8% | $82.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in IL | $142,500 | +4.4% | $68.51/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IL | $133,220 | -2.4% | $64.05/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IL | $132,790 | -2.7% | $63.84/hr |
| Software Developer in IL | $132,110 | -3.2% | $63.51/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IL | $124,180 | -9.1% | $59.70/hr |
| Statistician in IL | $119,760 | -12.3% | $57.58/hr |
| Data Scientist in IL | $106,560 | -22.0% | $51.23/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IL | $101,570 | -25.6% | $48.83/hr |
| Network Administrator in IL | $100,080 | -26.7% | $48.12/hr |
| Software Engineer in IL | $99,360 | -27.2% | $47.77/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IL | $89,800 | -34.2% | $43.17/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make in Illinois?
- Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois earn a median salary of $136,540 per year, or $66 per hour. This is 2.6% higher than the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for research scientists in Illinois?
- The salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Illinois spans from $49,190 at the lower end to $243,360 at the upper end, reflecting significant variation based on experience and specialization.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists work in Illinois?
- There are approximately 630 Computer and Information Research Scientists currently employed in Illinois, representing the total workforce in this field across the state.
Is Illinois a good state for Computer and Information Research Scientist salaries?
- Yes, Illinois offers competitive salaries for Computer and Information Research Scientists, with median pay of $136,540 annually that exceeds the national average by 2.6%, making it an attractive location for this career.