Geoscientist Salary in Illinois
Based on 410+ workers in Illinois
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$96,950
$46.61/hr
vs National Average
$90,668
+6.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$65K – $178K
410 employed in Illinois
Salary Distribution — Geoscientist in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,290 |
| 25th percentile | $74,390 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $96,950 |
| 75th percentile | $149,030 |
| 90th percentile | $177,670 |
Top-Paying Industries for Geoscientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Geoscientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Geoscientists in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $168,680 | 910 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $158,590 | 4K |
| Utilities | $133,170 | 120 |
| Manufacturing | $131,040 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,390 | 30 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Geoscientist in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $96,950 |
| 2026 (projected) | $99,859 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $96,950 | $90,668 |
| 2026 (projected) | $99,859 | $93,388 |
Geoscientist Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $74,390 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $96,950 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $149,030 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $177,670 |
Geoscientist Salary in Other States
Related Geoscientist Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Geoscientist ($96,950 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Geoscientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in IL | $137,140 | +41.5% | $65.93/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in IL | $91,360 | -5.8% | $43.92/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in IL | $87,010 | -10.3% | $41.83/hr |
| Chemist in IL | $85,230 | -12.1% | $40.98/hr |
| Psychologist in IL | $83,750 | -13.6% | $40.26/hr |
| Medical Scientist in IL | $82,330 | -15.1% | $39.58/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in IL | $81,590 | -15.8% | $39.23/hr |
| Dental Hygienist in IL | $96,670 | -0.3% | $46.48/hr |
| Registered Nurse in IL | $95,990 | -1.0% | $46.15/hr |
| Speech-Language Pathologist in IL | $95,080 | -1.9% | $45.71/hr |
| Budget Analyst in IL | $94,880 | -2.1% | $45.62/hr |
| Software Engineer in IL | $99,360 | +2.5% | $47.77/hr |