As of September 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Meteorologist in Illinois is $140,020, equivalent to $67 per hour, $2,693 weekly, or $11,668 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Meteorologist in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Chief Meteorologist in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $111,093 to $164,833. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($124,879) and 75th percentile ($153,008), while top earners (90th percentile) make $164,833 per year. This $28,129 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Assembler, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Chief Meteorologist often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 43 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Chief Meteorologist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.