Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $133,860 a year ($64.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,100 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $133,220. There are 0.24 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $139,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| 25th percentile | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Median | $133,860 | $64.35 |
| 75th percentile | $169,550 | $81.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,100 | $101.01 |
| Average (mean) | $139,310 | $66.97 |
Half of computer hardware 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 | $11,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,148.46 |
| Weekly | $2,574.23 |
| Hourly | $64.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $126,180 | 160 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $112,490 | 540 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,120 | 80 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $102,880 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for computer hardware engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $185,180 |
| Washington | $169,120 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 |
| Texas | $163,860 |
| New York | $163,470 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 |
| Arizona | $158,280 |
| Colorado | $156,080 |
See Computer Hardware Engineer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,760 | $48.92 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | $48.16 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,520 | $54.58 |
| Engineers, All Other | $121,910 | $58.61 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,700 | $53.22 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $125,650 | $60.41 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| Materials Engineer | $99,590 | $47.88 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $114,180 | $54.89 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,790 | $39.32 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2061. 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 computer hardware engineer make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $133,860 a year, or $64.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $210,100 a year. The top 25% earn $169,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,450 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $97,820 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,080 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.