Aerospace Engineer salary in Illinois
Aerospace Engineers in Illinois earn a median of $108,940 a year ($52.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,520 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $134,960. Illinois ranks 35th of 41 states for aerospace engineers pay. There are 0.03 aerospace engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.07). The average (mean) salary is $125,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aerospace engineers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| 25th percentile | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Median | $108,940 | $52.38 |
| 75th percentile | $153,800 | $73.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,520 | $88.71 |
| Average (mean) | $125,610 | $60.39 |
Half of aerospace engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,539.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,190 |
| Weekly | $2,095 |
| Hourly | $52.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Aerospace Engineer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $134,510 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for aerospace engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $159,060 |
| Washington | $158,370 |
| California | $157,620 |
| District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| Maryland | $156,750 |
| Colorado | $156,190 |
| Massachusetts | $149,470 |
| Vermont | $144,400 |
| Virginia | $143,210 |
| Georgia | $140,460 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,860 | $51.85 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,930 | $53.81 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,220 | $64.05 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,560 | $58.44 |
| Materials Engineer | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $89,520 | $43.04 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,690 | $51.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in Illinois?
The median salary for aerospace engineers in Illinois is $108,940 a year, or $52.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aerospace engineers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of aerospace engineers in Illinois earn at least $184,520 a year. The top 25% earn $153,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for aerospace engineers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,170 a year, and a quarter of aerospace engineers earn $98,300 or less.
How many aerospace engineers work in Illinois?
About 200 aerospace engineers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.