Microbiologists pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for microbiologists is $48.38 an hour ($100,620 a year). About 1,240 people work in this job there.

$48.38Median hourly pay
$66,810–$120,520Middle half of workers, yearly
1,240People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 14% higher than the U.S. median ($87,990). It is 9% higher than the Illinois median ($92,050).

Pay range for microbiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$28.79$59,880
25% of workers$32.12$66,810
Half of workers (median)$48.38$100,620
75% of workers$57.94$120,520
90% of workers$64.45$134,050

Microbiologists pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)$100,6201,240
Peoria$93,24030
Champaign-Urbana$66,56060

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for microbiologists

  • Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Job outlook: +6.2% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

JobMedian yearly pay
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$83,240

Other job titles for this job

BacteriologistClinical MicrobiologistElectron MicroscopistMedical Lab ScientistMedical MicrobiologistMicrobiological AnalystMicrobiologistMicrobiology AnalystMicrobiology ScientistMicrobiology SpecialistMicroscopistPharmaceutical Microbiologist

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.