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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Data Scientist Salary in Chicago: $113K Median

Data Scientists in Chicago, IL earn between $71K and $193K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $108,020 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL is $113,421 per year — +5% above the US national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $71,169 (entry, 25th percentile) to $193,295 (90th percentile). Data Scientists in Chicago earned approximately $18,294 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$113,421
+520.0% YoY · $9,452/mo
Entry
$89,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$173,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$193,295
Senior/lead
Data Scientist Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$113K
Atlanta
$113K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$112K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$108K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Data Scientists in Chicago

Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and inform business decisions. They combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build machine learning models
  • Analyze structured/unstructured data
  • Deploy models to production
  • Communicate findings to stakeholders
  • A/B testing and experimentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google Data AnalyticsTensorFlow DeveloperAWS ML SpecialtyMicrosoft DA-100

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Meta
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
OpenAI
Anthropic
Databricks

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Data Scientist listings.

LLMsPyTorchMLOpsdbtSnowflakeGenAI

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonSQLTensorFlowPyTorchmachine learningstatisticsA/B testingdata visualizationpandasscikit-learn
Career Outlook
+36% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand.

Data Scientist Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,169$113,421$193,295
Monthly$5,931$9,452$16,108
Weekly$1,369$2,181$3,717
Hourly$34$55$93

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($108,020) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Data Scientist Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$82,475.334
Per month$6,873
Biweekly paycheck$3,172
Effective tax rate27.3%

Tax Breakdown on $113,421

Gross salary$113,421
Federal income tax−$16,654.62
Illinois state tax−$5,614.34
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,676.707
Take-home (net)$82,475.334

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Data Scientist Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Data Scientists in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$82,110
2–3 yr$89,250
4–6 yr$131,250
7–10 yr$173,250
11–15 yr$204,435
15+ yr$183,273

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,294
2026 median:$113,421
Change:+$95,127

Technology sector growth driven by demand for LLMs and PyTorch.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$106,001
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Data Scientist Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $98,627 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $173K–$193K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific LLMs/PyTorch expertise.

Data Scientist Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Data Scientist salary in Chicago is $113,421 per year as of April 2026 — $9,452/month, $2,181/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $71,169 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $193,295 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $113,421 a good Data Scientist salary in Chicago?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $113,421 a real purchasing power of approximately $106,001 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $113,421 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $113,421 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $113,421 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $113,421 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $113,421 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $113,421 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $113,421 each ($226,842 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $113,421 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $113,421 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Chicago. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Chicago?
On a $113,421 Data Scientist salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $82,475.334 per year ($6,873/month, $3,172 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,654.62, state $5,614.34, FICA $8,676.707. Effective tax rate: 27.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Data Scientists in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Data Scientists in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($108,020 nationally vs $113,421 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $106,001 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Data Scientist earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Data Scientists in Chicago typically start at around $89,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Data Scientists earn $173,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $193,295+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Data Scientist salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Data Scientist salaries in Chicago grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $18,294 in 2025 to $113,421 in 2026 (+$95,127). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by LLMs and PyTorch demand.
What's the job outlook for Data Scientists in Chicago?
Data scientist employment is projected to grow 36% through 2034 — one of the fastest-growing occupations. AI/ML adoption across industries is driving unprecedented demand. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Data Scientists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Data Scientists are: LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps, dbt, Snowflake, GenAI. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Data Scientists in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Data Scientists in or near Chicago include: Google, Meta, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, OpenAI. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Data Scientist salary in Chicago?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Data Scientist salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (LLMs, PyTorch, MLOps) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google Data Analytics or TensorFlow Developer). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Data Scientist in Chicago?
Master's degree preferred (Bachelor's acceptable with strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Data Scientist salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($108,020) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

Software Engineer →Machine Learning Engineer →Product Manager →Web Developer →DevOps Engineer →Cybersecurity Analyst →

Data Scientist Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$113KPhiladelphia, PA$112KDallas, TX$113KFort Worth, TX$110KCharlotte, NC$110KSacramento, CA$117KAtlanta, GA$113KRaleigh, NC$113K

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