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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago: $116K Median

Electrical Engineers in Chicago, IL earn between $79K and $184K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $116,067 per year — +5% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Chicago earned approximately $20,363 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$116,067
+470.0% YoY · $9,672/mo
Entry
$78,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$152,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,750
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$116K
Atlanta
$116K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$115K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$111K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Chicago

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Circuit design
  • PCB layout
  • Embedded systems
  • Power systems analysis
  • Testing and validation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles

In-demand certifications

PE LicenseSix SigmaIEEE membership

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

Apple
Tesla
Intel
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
GE
Lockheed Martin
SpaceX

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Electrical Engineer listings.

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand.

Electrical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,750$116,067$183,750
Monthly$6,563$9,672$15,313
Weekly$1,514$2,232$3,534
Hourly$38$56$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$84,205.818
Per month$7,017
Biweekly paycheck$3,239
Effective tax rate27.5%

Tax Breakdown on $116,067

Gross salary$116,067
Federal income tax−$17,236.74
Illinois state tax−$5,745.317
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,879.126
Take-home (net)$84,205.818

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$72,450
2–3 yr$78,750
4–6 yr$115,500
7–10 yr$152,250
11–15 yr$179,655
15+ yr$168,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,363
2026 median:$116,067
Change:+$95,704

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$108,474
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $103,631 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $152K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago is $116,067 per year as of April 2026 — $9,672/month, $2,232/week, or about $56/hour. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $116,067 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $116,067 a real purchasing power of approximately $108,474 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $116,067 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $116,067 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $116,067 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $116,067 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $116,067 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $116,067 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $116,067 each ($232,134 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $116,067 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $116,067 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Chicago. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Chicago?
On a $116,067 Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $84,205.818 per year ($7,017/month, $3,239 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,236.74, state $5,745.317, FICA $8,879.126. Effective tax rate: 27.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $116,067 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $108,474 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Chicago typically start at around $78,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $152,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Chicago grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $20,363 in 2025 to $116,067 in 2026 (+$95,704). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in Chicago?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Electrical Engineers are: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Chicago include: Apple, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, GE. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE License or Six Sigma). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Electrical Engineer in Chicago?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Electrical Engineer salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$116KPhiladelphia, PA$115KDallas, TX$116KFort Worth, TX$113KCharlotte, NC$113KSacramento, CA$119KAtlanta, GA$116KRaleigh, NC$116K

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