Mechanical Engineer salary in Illinois
Mechanical Engineers in Illinois earn a median of $102,680 a year ($49.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,160 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $104,110. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $111,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,150 | $34.69 |
| 25th percentile | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| Median | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| 75th percentile | $130,730 | $62.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,160 | $77.00 |
| Average (mean) | $111,380 | $53.55 |
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 | $8,556.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,278.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,949.23 |
| Weekly | $1,974.62 |
| Hourly | $49.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Illinois
| 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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $101,090 | 150 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| 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 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,940 | $52.38 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 Illinois?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Illinois is $102,680 a year, or $49.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Illinois earn at least $160,160 a year. The top 25% earn $130,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,150 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $83,800 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Illinois?
About 11,790 mechanical engineers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.