SOC 25-1053 · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Chicago, IL

The average salary for environmental science teachers, postsecondary in Chicago, Illinois is $97,930 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $90,030: half of the 100 people in this job in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($103,610).

$97,930average per year

Median $90,030Take-home ≈ $73,017

  • $57K10th
  • $65K25th
  • $90KMedian
  • $126K75th
  • $151K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

100people in this job
-5%vs U.S. average
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay range in Chicago

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,830 a year or less, while the top 10% make $151,020 or more. The middle half of environmental science teachers, postsecondary in Chicago earn between $64,570 and $126,280.

  • $57K10th
  • $65K25th
  • $90KMedian
  • $126K75th
  • $151K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$97,930$8,161—
Median$90,030$7,502—
Entry level (25th percentile)$64,570$5,381—
Experienced (75th percentile)$126,280$10,523—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.

Environmental science teachers, postsecondary in Chicago earn 7% less than the Illinois average ($104,910) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($103,610). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $94,980.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Chicago$97,930$90,030$56,830$151,020100
Illinois$104,910$104,440$62,680$139,060170
United States$103,610$94,980$57,780$164,1906,690

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary after taxes in Chicago

On the average salary of $97,930, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $73,017 a year, or $6,085 a month and $2,808 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in IN$74,816$6,235
Working in IL$73,017$6,085

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).

Illinois paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Chicago a good place for environmental science teachers, postsecondary? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $97,930 buys what about $94,532 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $97,930 is worth in another city

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in nearby metro areas

Highest-paying cities for environmental science teachers, postsecondary

Seattle, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($126,750).

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by city

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Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Chicago: questions

What is the entry-level environmental science teachers, postsecondary salary in Chicago?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,830 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,570, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the environmental science teachers, postsecondary take-home pay in Chicago?

About $73,017 a year ($6,085 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $97,930.

Do environmental science teachers, postsecondary earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?

The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($103,610).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-1053; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.53, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.53).

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