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Data Scientists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Data Scientists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

145% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$68,810
$5,734/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$106,560
$8,880/mo
Senior (P90)
$168,880
$14,073/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$68,810
National: $66,363
+3.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$106,560
National: $107,281
-0.7%
Senior (P90)
$168,880
National: $167,412
+0.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Data Scientists in Illinois spans from $68,810 at entry-level to $168,880 at senior level — a difference of $100,070 per year.

P10
$68K
P25
$84K
Median
$106K
P75
$137K
P90
$168K

Career Growth Premium: +145%

Senior Data Scientistss in Illinois earn $100,070 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$100,070
Monthly Difference
+$8,339
Hourly Difference
+$48.11
Growth Multiple
2.5x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Data Scientists salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $68,810 $5,734 $33.08
Early Career P25 $84,610 $7,051 $40.68
Mid-Career Median $106,560 $8,880 $51.23
Experienced P75 $137,290 $11,441 $66.00
Senior / Expert P90 $168,880 $14,073 $81.19
Key Insight

Data Scientists in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $68,810, while senior-level professionals earn $168,880 — a 145% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($106,560) and experienced level ($137,290), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Data Scientists senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$224,920
Entry: $77K
+190%
2
$220,040
Entry: $79K
+175%
3
$214,080
Entry: $73K
+192%
4
$213,270
Entry: $77K
+174%
5
$209,730
Entry: $89K
+134%
6
$207,890
Entry: $76K
+172%
7
$206,550
Entry: $78K
+164%
8
$206,220
Entry: $81K
+154%
9
$204,680
Entry: $75K
+170%
10
$203,950
Entry: $80K
+153%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Data Scientists?

Entry-level Data Scientistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $68,810 per year, or $5,734 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $84,610. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Data Scientists make?

Senior Data Scientistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $168,880 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $137,290. This represents a career premium of 145% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Data Scientists?

The career salary growth potential for Data Scientistss is 145%. Entry-level professionals start at $68,810, while senior-level can earn up to $168,880 — a difference of $100,070 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Data Scientistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Data Scientistss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $168,880 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Data Scientists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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