How Much Do Research Scientist Jobs Pay in Chicago? (November 2026)
As of November 2026, the median Research Scientist salary in Chicago is $200,000 a year. Most roles pay between $118,012 and $273,538 (the 10th–90th percentile), drawn from 30 live salaried listings across 16 companies. All figures are converted to annual US dollars so different sources compare like-for-like.
How pay has moved
Median base salary by month, from our monthly salary snapshots.
Highest-paying employers
- All IMC Financial Markets roles →
- Director, Quantitative Risk ManagementLead Associate Principal, Quantitative Risk ManagementLead Associate Principal, Quantitative Risk ManagementAll Theocc roles →
- All Drweng roles →
- Graduate Quantitative Researcher, PhD (2027 Start)Quantitative Researcher - SVTQuantitative Trader/Researcher – Systematic Options TradingAll Optiver roles →
- All Aquatic Capital Management roles →
Employers ranked by median advertised base among those with at least two salaried listings in Chicago; each one’s best-paying open roles are listed beneath it.
Methodology: Research Scientist listings in Chicago with a published salary, updated daily. Figures come from roles that are open right now. Ranges and single figures are converted to an annual US-dollar midpoint; hourly rates are annualised and out-of-band values dropped. Salary data is self-reported by employers and covers the roles that disclose pay — treat it as a directional guide, not a guarantee.