Illinois · 2025 pay · 218 people
How much does a forensic scientist make in Illinois?
$129,400typical pay for a forensic scientist in 2025
$96,375 – $143,450what most people earned
Includes everyone paid during 2025, including part-year workers. Typical pay rose 2.6% from 2024.
✓ Official data from Illinois Comptroller · Matches the agency's latest release · illinoiscomptroller.gov ↗
Where forensic scientists work
Typical pay at each employer, 2025 (everyone paid).
Pay by level
Levels with 5 or more people.
- Forensic Scientist I20 people$73,400
- Forensic Scientist II11 people$90,900
- Forensic Scientist III187 people$133,500
Related jobs and the next step up
Same line of work at a different rank, by typical pay (full-year employees where we can tell).
- Forensic Scientist Trainee$65,000 (everyone)
- Forensic Scientist (this page)$129,400 (everyone)
Highest-paid forensic scientists, 2025
- 1Timothy JohnsonForensic Scientist III · Department of State Police$235,700
- 2Dana PitchfordForensic Scientist III · Department of State Police$186,900
- 3John CarnesForensic Scientist III · Department of State Police$180,400
- 4Dexter McelhineyForensic Scientist III · Department of State Police$180,200
- 5Meredith MiskerForensic Scientist III · Department of State Police$180,000
Common questions
How much does a forensic scientist make in Illinois?
The typical forensic scientist was paid $129,400 in 2025; most earned between $96,375 and $143,450. This counts all 218 people paid, including part-year workers.
Which job titles are included?
Everyone whose payroll title is Forensic Scientist, at any level (for example "Forensic Scientist I"). Part-time-schedule titles (such as "20 hours") are left out. Senior, supervising and trainee titles have their own pages.
Job titles are written out in full from the payroll's abbreviations (for example "SR CRRECTNL POLC OFCR" → "Senior Correctional Police Officer"). "Typical pay" is the median; "most earned" is the middle half. How we calculate this