Natural Sciences Managers Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Natural Sciences Managers salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$158,690

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$156,653

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Natural Sciences Managers earning $158,690 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $156,653 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $158,690 keeps most of its value at $156,653 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Natural Sciences Managers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Natural Sciences Managers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Massachusetts

$199,999

RPP 109.4

2. New Jersey

$185,946

RPP 108.8

3. California

$181,422

RPP 112.5

4. North Carolina

$177,738

RPP 94.2

5. Kansas

$175,666

RPP 90.0

6. Connecticut

$168,392

RPP 106.4

7. Washington

$162,358

RPP 109.8

8. Missouri

$157,771

RPP 91.1

9. Illinois

$156,653

RPP 101.3

10. Arkansas

$155,230

RPP 86.6

Illinois ranks #9 out of 47 states for Natural Sciences Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Natural Sciences Managers in Illinois after cost of living?

A Natural Sciences Managers in Illinois earns a median salary of $158,690 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $156,653 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Natural Sciences Managers in Illinois: $158,690 x (100 / 101.3) = $156,653. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.