RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Data Scientists salary: California vs Illinois

Occupation

Data Scientists in California earn a median of $141,590. In Illinois, $106,560. After cost-of-living, the gap is 20% — not 32.9%.

Nominal pay gap
+32.9%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+20%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Data Scientists

Median
$141,590
p25
$103,360
p75
$186,820
p10
$77,480
p90
$224,920
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-39%
See full breakdown for California

Illinois

Data Scientists

Median
$106,560
p25
$84,610
p75
$137,290
p10
$68,810
p90
$168,880
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-50%
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.