Wages for biologists vary by subject area. Wages also vary by level of education. Biologists who have a master's degree earn more than those who have a bachelor's degree. Those who have a PhD earn more than those who have a master's degree. In general, salaries are highest for those working in private industry and lowest for those working for colleges or universities.
Biologists who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.
Biochemists and biophysicists (SOC 19-1021)
Biological scientists, all other (SOC 19-1029)
Microbiologists (SOC 19-1022)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $33.13 | $43.00 | $67.24 |
| Yearly | $68,906 | $89,446 | $139,848 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $31.50 | $40.12 | $48.02 |
| Yearly | $65,511 | $83,447 | $99,881 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $43.00 | $81.53 | $85.57 |
| Yearly | $89,443 | $169,584 | $177,989 | |
| United States | Hourly | $45.67 | $61.26 | $78.59 |
| Yearly | $95,000 | $127,410 | $163,460 | |
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $31.63 | $40.84 | $52.40 |
| Yearly | $65,802 | $84,953 | $108,988 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $24.83 | $35.02 | $51.74 |
| Yearly | $51,648 | $72,850 | $107,615 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $31.20 | $48.17 | $56.94 |
| Yearly | $64,895 | $100,197 | $118,436 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $31.13 | $41.60 | $52.23 |
| Yearly | $64,741 | $86,531 | $108,637 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $32.04 | $41.65 | $63.09 |
| Yearly | $66,658 | $86,642 | $131,213 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $33.10 | $44.49 | $63.08 |
| Yearly | $68,844 | $92,545 | $131,211 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $39.32 | $43.01 | $63.09 |
| Yearly | $81,785 | $89,462 | $131,215 | |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $26.33 | $32.21 | $40.19 |
| Yearly | $54,770 | $66,990 | $83,605 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $28.15 | $35.98 | $48.25 |
| Yearly | $58,548 | $74,837 | $100,368 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $28.48 | $43.74 | $106.45 |
| Yearly | $59,219 | $90,992 | $221,413 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $28.72 | $38.73 | $44.21 |
| Yearly | $59,749 | $80,561 | $91,967 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $24.68 | $37.32 | $43.79 |
| Yearly | $51,339 | $77,607 | $91,088 | |
| St Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $33.03 | $39.73 | $47.45 |
| Yearly | $68,701 | $82,633 | $98,701 | |
| United States | Hourly | $36.92 | $47.56 | $61.38 |
| Yearly | $76,800 | $98,920 | $127,670 | |
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $33.00 | $45.50 | $55.46 |
| Yearly | $68,639 | $94,627 | $115,351 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $28.11 | $32.90 | $42.98 |
| Yearly | $58,455 | $68,424 | $89,397 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $29.60 | $38.85 | $49.74 |
| Yearly | $61,556 | $80,811 | $103,460 | |
| Du Page County | Hourly | $31.11 | $38.77 | $51.30 |
| Yearly | $64,696 | $80,642 | $106,703 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $41.26 | $49.74 | $62.44 |
| Yearly | $85,831 | $103,472 | $129,867 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $40.89 | $45.62 | $50.38 |
| Yearly | $85,064 | $94,904 | $104,788 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $45.24 | $46.08 | $61.15 |
| Yearly | $94,113 | $95,847 | $127,179 | |
| St Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $29.40 | $33.61 | $46.54 |
| Yearly | $61,147 | $69,891 | $96,793 | |
| United States | Hourly | $32.26 | $42.30 | $58.82 |
| Yearly | $67,100 | $87,990 | $122,350 | |