Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $85,960 or more. The middle half of geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) in Chicago earn between $43,760 and $85,960.
- $43K10th
- $44K25th
- $64KMedian
- $86K75th
- $86K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $64,370 | $5,364 | $30.95 |
| Median | $64,420 | $5,368 | $30.97 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $43,760 | $3,647 | $21.04 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $85,960 | $7,163 | $41.33 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) in Chicago earn 15% more than the Illinois average ($56,200) and 4% more than the U.S. average ($61,870). At the median the gap is +21% against the U.S. median of $53,350.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $64,370 | $64,420 | $42,950 | $85,960 | n/a |
| Illinois | $56,200 | $53,280 | $39,810 | $75,230 | 80 |
| United States | $61,870 | $53,350 | $35,770 | $99,560 | 6,980 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $64,370, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $50,856 a year, or $4,238 a month and $1,956 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% 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:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $52,000 | $4,333 |
| Working in IL | $50,856 | $4,238 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians)? 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 $64,370 buys what about $62,136 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in nearby metro areas
- Detroit, MI$57,880
- Nashville, TN$67,110
- Omaha, NE$58,220
- Pittsburgh, PA$48,620
- Fargo, ND$55,460
- Tulsa, OK$64,480
Highest-paying cities for geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians)
San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,230).
- San Diego, CA$109,230
- San Francisco, CA$92,180
- Denver, CO$88,350
- Los Angeles, CA$78,890
- Boise, ID$72,440
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary by city
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Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in Chicago: questions
How much do geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) make an hour in Chicago?
$30.95 an hour on average, and $30.97 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $42,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $43,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) take-home pay in Chicago?
About $50,856 a year ($4,238 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $64,370.
Do geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% more than the U.S. average for this job ($61,870).
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 19-4043; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 11.7%.
- 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).
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