Mechanical Engineer salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Mechanical Engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $101,090 a year ($48.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,400 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $102,680. There are 1.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $102,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| 25th percentile | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Median | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| 75th percentile | $125,290 | $60.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,400 | $68.46 |
| Average (mean) | $102,530 | $49.30 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,888.08 |
| Weekly | $1,944.04 |
| Hourly | $48.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $128,710 | 2,120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,320 | 930 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,070 | 6,900 |
| Bloomington, IL | $100,500 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,340 | 2,190 |
| Rockford, IL | $99,150 | 640 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,940 | 40 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,060 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $92,920 | 90 |
| Kankakee, IL | $81,840 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Industrial Engineer | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,790 | $46.06 |
| Engineers, All Other | $83,230 | $40.02 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,750 | $36.90 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $101,090 a year, or $48.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $142,400 a year. The top 25% earn $125,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,870 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,590 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 150 mechanical engineers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.