Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Chicago, IL
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $135,630 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $97,400 take-home, or $8,117 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer and information research scientist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,285
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,409
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,967
- Illinois income tax$6,569
- Take-home pay$97,400
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Computer and Information Research Scientist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,190 | $23.65 | $39,414 | $3,285 |
| 25th percentile | $104,260 | $50.13 | $77,161 | $6,430 |
| Median (50th) | $135,630 | $65.21 | $97,400 | $8,117 |
| 75th percentile | $170,140 | $81.80 | $119,280 | $9,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $243,360+ | $117.00 | $166,921 | $13,910 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $135,630 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer and information research scientist's $97,400 take-home pay has the buying power of $94,020 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Computer and Information Research Scientist jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.45), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for computer and information research scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #10 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $211,270 | $157,227 | $141,477 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $218,420 | $143,527 | $129,979 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $206,220 | $135,393 | $128,431 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $170,510 | $119,504 | $110,380 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $156,750 | $111,134 | $106,361 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $170,890 | $119,027 | $105,743 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $161,090 | $110,647 | $101,619 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $171,440 | $114,502 | $99,039 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $135,630 | $97,400 | $94,020 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make in Chicago, IL?
The median computer and information research scientist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $135,630 a year, or about $65.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,260 and $170,140.
What is a computer and information research scientist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $135,630 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $97,400 a year ($8,117 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,569 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a computer and information research scientist?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $140,300. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $94,020 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #10 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer and information research scientist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median computer and information research scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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