Microbiologist Salary in Chicago, IL
Microbiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $100,620 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,780 take-home, or $6,232 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median microbiologist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,306
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,238
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,459
- Illinois income tax$4,836
- Take-home pay$74,780
Marginal rate: 22% 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.
Microbiologist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,880 | $28.79 | $47,474 | $3,956 |
| 25th percentile | $66,810 | $32.12 | $52,669 | $4,389 |
| Median (50th) | $100,620 | $48.38 | $74,780 | $6,232 |
| 75th percentile | $120,520 | $57.94 | $87,795 | $7,316 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,050 | $64.45 | $96,398 | $8,033 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,620 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 microbiologist's $74,780 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,185 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.3× the national concentration of microbiologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for microbiologists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #6 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $122,350 | $88,995 | $82,200 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $109,320 | $80,686 | $80,639 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $130,070 | $90,611 | $78,374 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $114,800 | $82,802 | $76,046 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $101,990 | $77,449 | $75,520 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $100,620 | $74,780 | $72,185 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,420 | $73,061 | $64,333 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $85,710 | $65,096 | $57,830 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a microbiologist make in Chicago, IL?
The median microbiologist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $100,620 a year, or about $48.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,810 and $120,520.
What is a microbiologist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $100,620 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $74,780 a year ($6,232 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,836 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a microbiologist?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $87,990. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,185 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #6 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a microbiologist 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) — 25% of a median microbiologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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