Data Science Lead Jobs in Illinois

Data Science Lead jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology, with openings at every level from senior individual contributor through director-track leadership. Chicago anchors the market, with additional hiring activity in Naperville and Peoria, where major employers such as Allstate, Abbott, and Discover Financial maintain established analytics teams. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings include machine learning engineering, NLP, and applied analytics for risk and clinical decision-making. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles21
Top employerRitchie Bros.
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring5
Work type58% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 21+ Data Science Lead jobs

CCC Intelligent Solutions
Data Science Engineer Internship
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CCC Intelligent Solutions
Added 2d ago
Data Science Engineer Internship
CCC Intelligent Solutions
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$20 - $43/hr
1,001-5,000

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University of Illinois
Faculty Open Rank (Tenure) - Data Science and AI in Health Professions Education – Medical Education
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University of Illinois
Added 2d ago
Faculty Open Rank (Tenure) - Data Science and AI in Health Professions Education – Medical Education
University of Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
$90k - $250k/yr
10,000+

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University of Illinois
Faculty Open Rank (Non Tenure) Data Science and AI in Health Professions Education
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University of Illinois
Added 2d ago
Faculty Open Rank (Non Tenure) Data Science and AI in Health Professions Education
University of Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
$90k - $250k/yr
10,000+

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CCC Intelligent Solutions
R&D & Data Science Internship Fall 2026
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CCC Intelligent Solutions
Added 3d ago
R&D & Data Science Internship Fall 2026
CCC Intelligent Solutions
Chicago, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Success
$20 - $43/hr
1,001-5,000

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MonoSol LLC.
Senior Scientist Data Science
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MonoSol LLC.
Added 3d ago
Senior Scientist Data Science
MonoSol LLC.
Chicago, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$130k - $155k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in statistics
201-500

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See All 21 Data Science Lead Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Data Science Lead Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
16 jobs
Oak Brook
2 jobs
Deerfield
1 job
Westchester
1 job
North Chicago
1 job

Data Science Lead Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Ritchie Bros.
Ritchie Bros.2 open roles
Chamberlain
Chamberlain2 open roles
University of Chicago
University of Chicago2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Media & Entertainment

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in data science lead jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related quantitative field
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional data science teams through full project lifecycles
  • Advanced proficiency in Python or R with production-level machine learning model deployment experience
  • Demonstrated expertise with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud in analytical workflows
  • Strong communication skills translating complex model outputs into business decisions for executive stakeholders
  • Experience with Illinois-relevant industry domains such as financial risk modeling, healthcare analytics, or industrial IoT

Data Science Lead Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a data science lead in Illinois?

Becoming a data science lead in Illinois does not require a state-issued license, but Illinois employers consistently expect a graduate degree in a quantitative field alongside several years of hands-on modeling experience before promoting into a lead role. Building a portfolio of end-to-end projects, contributing to open-source work, and gaining familiarity with the industries dominant in Illinois, such as finance, insurance, and healthcare, meaningfully shortens the path to a leadership position.

How much do data science leads make in Illinois?

Data science leads in Illinois earn a median of about $106,560 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,810 for the lowest 10% to over $168,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire data science leads in Illinois?

Employers hiring data science leads in Illinois right now include Ritchie Bros., Chamberlain, and University of Chicago, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of insurance carriers, regional banks, and large hospital systems means demand for data science leads extends well beyond the Chicago tech sector into suburban and mid-state employers with mature analytics functions.

Which Illinois cities have the most data science lead jobs?

Chicago, Oak Brook, and Deerfield account for the largest share of data science lead openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its dense concentration of financial institutions, health systems, and technology firms, while Naperville and Downers Grove attract openings from suburban corporate headquarters in the corridor along I-88, where companies like Navistar and Advocate Health maintain significant analytics operations.

Are there remote data science lead jobs in Illinois?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 67% of data science lead openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based and collaborative nature of the role. The modeling, code review, and stakeholder presentation responsibilities that make up most of the work transfer well to distributed teams, though roles embedded within hospital systems or manufacturing operations tend to require more on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a data science lead in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a data scientist or senior analyst role first, then pursuing the lead track from within. Large Illinois employers such as Allstate, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and Caterpillar run graduate rotational and associate analytics programs that place early-career candidates on teams alongside senior leads. Building a portfolio of applied ML projects relevant to financial risk or clinical outcomes, areas central to Illinois hiring, gives candidates without formal experience a concrete way to demonstrate readiness for the role.

Where can I find and apply to data science lead jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to data science lead jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 21 Data Science Lead Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Data Science Lead Jobs