Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 720.
  • Forensic Psychologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earn an average of $103,430 per year or $49.73 per hour.
  • The percentage of Illinois Forensic Psychologists who work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 83%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Forensic Psychologists who work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 5%.

Rankings for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

  • Ranks #1 in Illinois for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Illinois for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #18 in the nation for salary and #35 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Illinois

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $103,430 or $49.73 per hour which is 3% more than the Illinois average salary of $99,740.

AverageChicago-Naperville-ElginIllinois% Difference
Hourly Wage$49.73$47.953.71%
Annual Salary$103,430$99,7403.70%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $103,430 or $49.73 per hour which is 5% more than the U.S. average salary of $98,010.

AverageChicago-Naperville-ElginU.S.%
Hourly Wage$49.73$47.125.54%
Annual Salary$103,430$98,0105.53%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Forensic Psychologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earns an average annual salary of $98,646 which compares to the Illinois average annual salary of $99,740. per year.

Cost-of-living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 5% higher than the Illinois average, which means Chicago-Naperville-Elgin residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Illinois average.

  • Illinois average salary is $99,740.
  • Illinois cost-of-living adjusted salary is $99,264.
  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin average salary is $103,430.
  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin cost-of-living adjusted salary is $98,646.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$103,430104.85%$98,646
Illinois$99,740100.48%$99,264
U.S.$98,010$98,010
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, 50% of Forensic Psychologists earn between $71,680 and $119,200 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn more than $130,050, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Forensic Psychologists.

Approximately 10% of Forensic Psychologists earn under $38,310, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Forensic Psychologists.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year72Under $38,310
15%2 – 4 years108$38,310 – $71,680
25%5 – 9 years180$71,680 – $101,600
25%10 – 14 years180$101,600 – $119,200
15%15 – 20 years108$101,600 – $130,050
10%20+ years72Above $130,050
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

Forensic Psychologists tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($54,460), Marriage and Family Therapists ($55,200), Social Workers ($57,170), Health Care Social Workers ($62,870), School Psychologists ($77,460), Psychology Teachers ($87,090), and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($102,580).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$103,430
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$102,580
Psychology Teachers$87,090
School Psychologists$77,460
Health Care Social Workers$62,870
Social Workers$57,170
Marriage and Family Therapists$55,200
Substance Abuse Counselors$54,460
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Forensic Psychologists

The number of Forensic Psychologists currently employed in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 720.

Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $103,430 per year or $49.73 per hour in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Forensic Psychologists earn an average of $98,646 per year or $47 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin are Forensic Psychologists($103,430), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($102,580), Psychology Teachers($87,090).


Additional Salary Reports for Forensic Psychologists in Illinois cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Forensic Psychologists: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data