Data Scientist Salary in Illinois
Based on 11K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$106,560
$51.23/hr
vs National Average
$107,281
-0.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$69K – $169K
11K employed in Illinois
Data Scientist salary in Illinois averages $116,890 annually, based on data from 88 workers in the state. This figure falls approximately 13% below the national average, reflecting regional differences in compensation across the data science field. While specific salary floors remain unavailable, professionals in this role can expect earnings up to $119,378 depending on their experience and circumstances.
Several factors influence Data Scientist compensation within Illinois, including years of experience, educational background, and specific industry sector. Company size and location within the state also play significant roles, with larger metropolitan areas potentially offering different opportunities than smaller regions. Additionally, specialized skills in machine learning, cloud platforms, or domain expertise can impact earning potential for professionals in this competitive field.
Salary Distribution — Data Scientist in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,810 |
| 25th percentile | $84,610 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $106,560 |
| 75th percentile | $137,290 |
| 90th percentile | $168,880 |
Top H-1B Employers for Data 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 | Capital One, National Association | 24 | $125,418 |
| 2 | PayPal, Inc. | 24 | $144,000 |
| 3 | Discover Products Inc. | 16 | $115,057 |
| 4 | Capital One Services, LLC | 15 | $135,874 |
| 5 | MACHINE INTELLIGENCE LLC | 10 | $85,602 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Data 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 | $74,578 | 52 |
| Level II | Qualified | $100,000 | 110 |
| Level III | Experienced | $140,950 | 64 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $153,500 | 78 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Data Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Data Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Data Scientists in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $141,440 | 32K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $137,840 | 4K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $133,750 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,050 | 29K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $126,730 | 70K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Data Scientist in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $103,730 |
| 2023 | $108,580 |
| 2024 | $113,490 |
| 2025 | $106,560 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,560 |
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 | $103,730 | $98,212 |
| 2023 | $108,580 | $104,916 |
| 2024 | $113,490 | $105,473 |
| 2025 | $106,560 | $107,281 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,560 | $107,281 |
Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $84,610 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $106,560 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $137,290 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $168,880 |
Data Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Data Scientist Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Data Scientist ($106,560 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Data Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IL | $171,730 | +61.2% | $82.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in IL | $142,500 | +33.7% | $68.51/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in IL | $136,540 | +28.1% | $65.64/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IL | $133,220 | +25.0% | $64.05/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IL | $132,790 | +24.6% | $63.84/hr |
| Software Developer in IL | $132,110 | +24.0% | $63.51/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IL | $124,180 | +16.5% | $59.70/hr |
| Statistician in IL | $119,760 | +12.4% | $57.58/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IL | $101,570 | -4.7% | $48.83/hr |
| Network Administrator in IL | $100,080 | -6.1% | $48.12/hr |
| Software Engineer in IL | $99,360 | -6.8% | $47.77/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IL | $89,800 | -15.7% | $43.17/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data scientists make in Illinois?
- Data scientists in Illinois earn a median salary of $116,890 per year, which works out to approximately $56 per hour. This is 13.1% below the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for data scientists in Illinois?
- The upper end of the data scientist salary range in Illinois reaches $119,378 annually. This represents the top tier of compensation for the position in the state.
How does Illinois data scientist pay compare to the national average?
- Illinois data scientists earn 13.1% less than the national average, with a median of $116,890 per year compared to higher-paying regions across the country. This is an important consideration for job seekers evaluating opportunities in the state.
How many data scientists work in Illinois?
- There are currently 88 data scientists employed in Illinois according to our latest data. This represents a relatively specialized job market in the state.