Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Illinois | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $106,560 | $120,395 | -11% |
| Median hourly wage | $51.23 | $57.88 | -11% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $106,560.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $113,421 | $89,250 | $173,250 | 107 |
The median annual salary for a Data Scientist in Illinois is $106,560, or about $51.23 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Data Scientists is $120,395. Illinois is -11% below the national median.
Entry-level data scientists in Illinois typically earn from $89,250 depending on the city and employer.
With 10,520 data scientist jobs on record and a median salary of $106,560, Illinois offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.