Physicians, Pathologists pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $193,230 a year or less, while the top 10% make $546,710 or more. The middle half of physicians, pathologists in Chicago earn between $264,170 and $381,850.
- $193K10th
- $264K25th
- $337KMedian
- $382K75th
- $547K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $339,170 | $28,264 | $163.06 |
| Median | $336,660 | $28,055 | $161.86 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $264,170 | $22,014 | $127.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $381,850 | $31,821 | $183.58 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Physicians, Pathologists pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Physicians, pathologists in Chicago earn 11% less than the Illinois average ($381,560) and 19% more than the U.S. average ($285,420). At the median the gap is +8% against the U.S. median of $312,400.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $339,170 | $336,660 | $193,230 | $546,710 | n/a |
| Illinois | $381,560 | $381,770 | $136,990 | $546,740 | n/a |
| United States | $285,420 | $312,400 | $92,540 | $449,970 | 11,110 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Physicians, Pathologists salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $339,170, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $223,069 a year, or $18,589 a month and $8,580 every two weeks. Taxes take 34% 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 | $229,572 | $19,131 |
| Working in IL | $223,069 | $18,589 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for physicians, pathologists? 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 $339,170 buys what about $327,400 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 6.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 1.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Physicians, Pathologists salary in nearby metro areas
- Indianapolis, IN$313,590
- St. Louis, MO$268,500
- Cincinnati, OH$276,540
- Louisville, KY$294,130
- Columbus, OH$273,990
- Kansas City, MO$245,550
Highest-paying cities for physicians, pathologists
Tampa, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($345,500).
- Tampa, FL$345,500
- Baltimore, MD$343,850
- Miami, FL$340,620
- Chicago, IL$339,170
- Phoenix, AZ$323,670
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Physicians, Pathologists salary in Chicago: questions
How much do physicians, pathologists make an hour in Chicago?
$163.06 an hour on average, and $161.86 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level physicians, pathologists salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $193,230 a year and the 25th percentile is $264,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the physicians, pathologists take-home pay in Chicago?
About $223,069 a year ($18,589 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $339,170.
Do physicians, pathologists earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% more than the U.S. average for this job ($285,420).
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 29-1222; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 22.0%.
- 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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