Of the 2,930 physics professionals employed in Illinois, 2,580 work in Chicago. There has been a 10% growth in the number of physics professionals in Chicago between the years 2006 and 2010. As the number of physics professionals in Chicago has increased, overall employment in Chicago has also increased.

• Grey: Illinois
• Dark Yellow: Chicago

• Light Blue: Physics in Chicago
• Dark Yellow: All Professions in Chicago

In Chicago, salaries for physics professionals have increased. Chicago physics professionals made $132,230 per year, on average, in 2010. Four years earlier in 2006, the average salary for physics professionals in Chicago was $96,680 per year. The growth in the salary of physics professionals in Chicago is faster than the salary trend for all careers in the city.

Physics professionals make a median salary of $120,780 per year in Chicago. The difference in pay between the physics professionals in the lowest pay bracket and those in the highest pay bracket is approximately 150%. Those in the lowest 10% of the pay bracket earn less than $80,460 per year, while those in the highest 10% of the pay bracket earn more than $201,340 per year.

Physics professional salaries in Chicago are, on average, higher than salaries earned for professionals in related fields.

There are 9 accredited physics schools in the city. Many of Chicago's physics professionals are graduates of one of these schools.

There are a total of 23 degree and certificate programs in physics offered by Chicago's physics schools.

Approximately 146 students graduated from physics courses in 2010.