Materials Scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Employers filed 41 applications covering 41 positions for this role here, at a median of $95,000 a year. 31 of those state a minimum and no maximum — a Labor Condition Application commits an employer to a floor, not to a salary.
What the government requires here
The prevailing wage for Materials Scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, wage year 2025-26 — the four levels an employer must meet depending on the experience the role demands.
| Level | Who it is for | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry: a role needing basic understanding and close supervision | $86,528 |
| Level II | Qualified: some experience, moderate supervision | $106,371 |
| Level III | Experienced: sound understanding, limited supervision | $126,194 |
| Level IV | Fully competent: judgement, may supervise others | $146,037 |
Who filed, and at what
| Employer | Level | Filings | Positions | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | Level I | 14 | 14 | $61,254 |
| Northwestern University | Level III | 6 | 6 | $83,366 |
| Underwriters Laboratories Inc. | Level II | 3 | 3 | $106,500 |
| AbbVie Inc. | Level III | 1 | 1 | $132,275 |
| Entegris, Inc. | Level III | 1 | 1 | $136,904 |
| INEOS Styrolution America LLC | Level III | 1 | 1 | $126,194 |
| Silgan White Cap LLC. | Level I | 1 | 1 | $95,000 |
| UChicago Argonne, LLC | Level I | 1 | 1 | $70,758 |
| UChicago Argonne, LLC | Level II | 1 | 1 | $90,043 |
| UChicago Argonne, LLC | Level IV | 1 | 1 | $116,250 |
| University of Chicago | Level I | 1 | 1 | $63,120 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Level II | 1 | 1 | $67,558 |
| Northwestern University | Level III | 1 | 1 | $89,898 |
| UChicago Argonne LLC | Level III | 1 | 1 | $109,922 |
| Fermi Research Alliance, LLC | Level I | 2 | 2 | $66,703 |
| UChicago Argonne LLC | Level II | 1 | 1 | $72,488 |
| TA Instruments - Waters LLC | not stated | 2 | 2 | $98,000 |
| ArcelorMittal USA Research LLC | not stated | 1 | 1 | $120,450 |
| USG Corporation | not stated | 1 | 1 | $124,704 |
Tell me when this moves
One email when the prevailing wage for Materials Scientists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN changes — the library turns over every July, and what an employer must offer changes with it.
Source: OFLC disclosure data and prevailing wage library, US Department of Labor (public domain). Figures are what employers filed, not what they paid.