Natural Sciences Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Natural Sciences Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $167,040 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $117,314 take-home, or $9,776 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$28,824
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,356
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,422
- Illinois income tax$8,124
- Take-home pay$117,314
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.
Natural Sciences Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,010 | $41.83 | $65,879 | $5,490 |
| 25th percentile | $126,770 | $60.95 | $91,783 | $7,649 |
| Median (50th) | $167,040 | $80.31 | $117,314 | $9,776 |
| 75th percentile | $216,000 | $103.85 | $150,164 | $12,514 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $293,270+ | $141.00 | $196,588 | $16,382 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $167,040 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 natural sciences manager's $117,314 take-home pay has the buying power of $113,243 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Natural Sciences Manager jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for natural sciences managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #14 of 33 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $239,200+ | $195,208 | $180,304 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $168,514 | $152,608 |
| 3 | Worcester, MA | $212,600 | $147,797 | $144,160 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $203,150 | $151,247 | $136,095 |
| 5 | Durham, NC | $183,540 | $129,901 | $133,134 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $225,230 | $147,276 | $127,387 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $173,160 | $123,221 | $126,577 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $173,510 | $123,446 | $125,764 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $167,040 | $117,314 | $113,243 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 33 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a natural sciences manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median natural sciences manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $167,040 a year, or about $80.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $126,770 and $216,000.
What is a natural sciences manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $167,040 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $117,314 a year ($9,776 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,124 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a natural sciences manager?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $167,220. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $113,243 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #14 of 33 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a natural sciences manager 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) — 16% of a median natural sciences manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Chief Executive — $239,200+
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,760
- Financial Manager — $168,810
- Marketing Manager — $165,340
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $163,430
- Sales Manager — $158,690
- Human Resources Manager — $156,770
- Compensation and Benefits Manager — $155,340
- Purchasing Manager — $155,080
- Managers, All Other — $145,370
- Training and Development Manager — $133,800
- Public Relations Manager — $133,210