Illinois offers comprehensive environmental science programs at institutions like Northwestern University, University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University. Environmental scientists in Illinois earn an average of $97,670 annually, with strong job prospects across urban Chicago and diverse ecological regions. Programs range from bachelor's degrees to specialized master's concentrations in forestry, watershed management, and ecological restoration.
Illinois presents exceptional diversity for environmental science study and career development. The state encompasses heavily urbanized regions around Chicago, extensive agricultural zones across central Illinois, southern forests supporting ecological research, and critical freshwater ecosystems along Lake Michigan and major river systems, including the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
The greater Chicago area is one of the nation's most urbanized regions, offering unique opportunities to study urban ecology, environmental policy, and sustainable development. Central and northern Illinois' agricultural landscape supports research in soil science, sustainable farming practices, and agricultural environmental management. Southern Illinois offers forest ecosystems and coal country, while Lake Michigan's vast expanse creates opportunities for water ecology, limnology, and aquatic biology research.
Illinois also extends into Tornado Alley, making meteorological research and climate science particularly relevant. Whether pursuing pure scientific research or applied commercial applications, environmental scientists find diverse opportunities throughout Illinois, supported by some of the nation's top universities offering degrees in the field.
Why Study Environmental Science in Illinois?
Illinois provides students with access to an exceptional range of ecosystems and environmental challenges within a single state. From the third-largest city in the United States to expansive agricultural regions and protected forest systems, Illinois offers hands-on learning opportunities that few states can match.
The state's research infrastructure includes world-class institutions like Argonne National Laboratory for environmental and energy research, the Field Museum for biodiversity and conservation science, and the Chicago Botanic Garden for plant conservation and ecological research. These partnerships provide students with internship opportunities, access to field research, and connections to leading environmental scientists.
Illinois' geographic position at the intersection of multiple ecological zones creates biodiversity beyond what you might expect from a Plains state. The convergence of prairie ecosystems, deciduous forests, wetlands, and major aquatic systems provides unparalleled opportunities for comparative environmental study and research across multiple habitat types.
Environmental Science Career Opportunities in Illinois
Illinois offers a comprehensive range of government and private sector positions for environmental scientists, from health and safety professionals to environmental engineers. Many positions are available at the state, city, and county levels, particularly within the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, and regional planning commissions throughout the state.
Environmental scientists in Illinois have a unique, non-traditional employment avenue through the Chicago Stock Exchange and the CME Group. As major components of the National Market System, Chicago's derivatives, futures, and options markets depend heavily on information and analysis from experts in earth sciences, weather forecasting, and agricultural environmental conditions. This creates high-paying positions for environmental scientists in the financial sector that exist in few other states.
Chicago is a major center for environmental law and policy across the Midwest. Environmental engineering firms maintain significant operations here, and primary food production and agricultural companies require soil scientists, crop specialists, and environmental compliance professionals. The state's diverse industrial base, spanning manufacturing, agriculture, and technology, creates consistent demand for environmental expertise.
Career pathways also extend to natural resource management, with opportunities for park rangers in state parks and conservation areas, forest rangers in southern Illinois' Shawnee National Forest, and conservation scientists working with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and local land trusts.
Salary & Job Outlook in Illinois
The commercial activity and diverse employment sectors in Illinois significantly boost compensation for environmental scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental scientists in Illinois earn substantially above the national average, reflecting the state's strong market for environmental expertise.
| Metric | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | $97,670 | $87,980 |
| Annual Median Wage | $89,010 | $78,980 |
| Entry Level (10th Percentile) | $52,790 | $47,940 |
| Experienced (90th Percentile) | $164,990 | $134,840 |
| Current Employment (2022) | 1,460 positions | 85,160 positions |
| Projected Employment (2032) | 1,550 positions | 91,510 positions |
| Job Growth Rate | 6.2% | 7.5% |
| Annual Job Openings | 130 openings | 8,060 openings |
Illinois environmental scientists earn nearly $10,000 more annually than the national average, with the strongest compensation concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area, where environmental consulting firms, regulatory agencies, and corporate sustainability departments compete for qualified professionals. The state's projected 6.2% employment growth through 2032 translates to steady demand, with approximately 130 annual job openings from both new positions and workforce turnover.
Bachelor's in Environmental Science in Illinois
Illinois offers numerous excellent undergraduate programs in environmental sciences. These programs balance rigorous scientific training with hands-on field experience and prepare students for immediate career entry or graduate school advancement.
Northwestern University offers a world-class bachelor's degree in environmental science that rivals many graduate programs in terms of comprehensiveness and depth. With study abroad options spanning tropical ecosystems to Arctic research stations, and partnerships within the renewable energy industry, students gain hands-on experience with real environmental challenges across the globe. The program integrates coursework in ecology, environmental chemistry, earth sciences, and policy, preparing graduates for diverse career pathways.
Lake Forest College offers an environmental studies major that combines big-picture global environmental education with on-campus and community research opportunities. Students engage in practical work from campus composting initiatives to partnerships with the Wildlife Discovery Center. The program emphasizes both scientific understanding and the communication skills necessary to translate environmental science for policymakers and the public.
Additional strong undergraduate programs exist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which integrates environmental science with agricultural and engineering applications, and at Illinois State University, where students benefit from proximity to diverse field sites and research stations throughout central Illinois.
Master's in Environmental Science in Illinois
A master's degree positions graduates at the top of the field and the pay scale in environmental science. Illinois offers excellent choices for graduate-level programs, from comprehensive research universities to specialized professional master's programs.
As expected, major universities in the Chicagoland area maintain strong graduate programs, but many institutions throughout the state offer specialized strengths. In Charleston, Eastern Illinois University provides a highly professional MS in Biological Sciences with concentrations ranging from bioenergy to behavioral ecology, preparing graduates for both applied industry positions and doctoral research.
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale offers a powerful master's in Forestry with eight different concentrations, including watershed management, ecological restoration, forest ecology, and forest resource management. This program serves students interested in forestry careers throughout the Midwest, with extensive field research opportunities in the Shawnee National Forest and partnerships with state and federal land management agencies.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides a master's in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences that can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format, making it accessible to working professionals. The program covers environmental policy, conservation biology, ecosystem management, and environmental assessment, with optional in-person components for laboratory work and field trips.
Doctoral Programs & Advanced Research
For students pursuing research careers, academic positions, or senior leadership roles in environmental science, Illinois universities offer doctoral programs with diverse specializations. Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Chicago maintain active PhD programs in environmental science, earth sciences, and ecology with significant research funding and laboratory facilities.
These programs often integrate with nearby research institutions, providing dissertation research opportunities at Argonne National Laboratory, the Field Museum, and federal research facilities. Doctoral candidates contribute to long-term ecological monitoring programs, climate research initiatives, and environmental policy development that shapes regional and national environmental management.
Online Environmental Science Degree Options from Schools in Illinois
Illinois universities have embraced distance learning options, recognizing that many students need flexibility due to work commitments or cannot relocate to attend their preferred campus. Online and hybrid programs maintain the same rigorous academic standards as on-campus options while providing greater accessibility.
The University of Illinois offers the most comprehensive online option with its fully online MS in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. The entire degree can be completed without a single campus visit, making it accessible to students nationwide and internationally. The program utilizes video lectures, virtual laboratories, online discussions, and collaborative research projects to deliver a complete graduate education.
For students who value some in-person interaction and direct laboratory supervision, several programs offer hybrid formats that combine online coursework with scheduled field trips and laboratory sessions. These formats allow students to maintain employment and residence in their current location while building relationships with faculty and fellow students during intensive on-campus periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for environmental scientists in Illinois?
Environmental scientists in Illinois earn an average annual salary of $97,670, with a median salary of $89,010. Entry-level positions (10th percentile) start around $52,790, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) can earn $164,990 or more. Chicago and its surrounding suburbs tend to offer higher compensation due to the concentration of environmental firms and regulatory agencies.
How strong is the job market for environmental science in Illinois?
Illinois employs approximately 1,330 environmental scientists with projections showing 6.2% growth through 2032. This translates to about 130 annual job openings from growth and worker replacement. The Chicago metropolitan area accounts for a significant portion of these opportunities, particularly in environmental consulting, compliance, and engineering firms.
What are the best environmental science schools in Illinois?
Top programs include Northwestern University for undergraduate environmental science with global partnerships, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its online master's in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Southern Illinois University for forestry with eight specialized concentrations, and Eastern Illinois University for biological sciences with environmental applications. Each offers distinct strengths depending on your career focus.
Can I complete an environmental science degree online in Illinois?
Yes, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a fully online Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences that requires no campus visits. Some programs also provide hybrid formats that combine online coursework with occasional field trips and laboratory sessions for hands-on learning.
What makes Illinois unique for environmental science study?
Illinois provides exceptional diversity for environmental study: Lake Michigan's freshwater ecosystems, major river systems (Mississippi, Ohio), extensive agricultural regions for soil and crop science, urban environmental challenges in Chicago, and forest ecosystems in the southern regions. This geographic variety enables hands-on experience across multiple environmental contexts within one state.
Key Takeaways
- Competitive Salaries: Environmental scientists in Illinois earn an average of $97,670 annually, significantly above the national average of $87,980, with the most substantial compensation in the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Steady Job Growth: Illinois projects 6.2% employment growth through 2032, creating approximately 130 annual job openings for environmental scientists across diverse sectors, from government agencies to private consulting firms.
- Geographic Diversity: Illinois offers unique environmental research opportunities spanning Lake Michigan ecosystems, the Mississippi River system, agricultural regions, Chicago's urban environments, and southern forests-providing hands-on experience across multiple ecological contexts.
- Program Variety: Options include comprehensive undergraduate programs at Northwestern with study abroad opportunities, specialized forestry master's at Southern Illinois with eight concentrations, and fully online graduate programs at the University of Illinois accessible to working professionals.
- Career Pathways: Illinois environmental scientists work in government agencies, environmental engineering firms, agricultural companies, unique commodities trading positions (Chicago Stock Exchange), environmental law, and natural resource management throughout diverse ecosystems.
Ready to start your environmental science journey in Illinois? Explore degree programs that align with your interests, from urban environmental management to ecological restoration and watershed science.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for Environmental Scientists and Specialists reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2026.
