90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary — Illinois
Updated April 29, 2026

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Illinois: $102K Median

Mechanical Engineers in Illinois earn between $67K and $158K per year.

That's +3% above the US national median.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Illinois is $102,495 per year — +3% above the US national median of $99,510. Salaries range from $66,950 (entry, 25th percentile) to $157,590 (90th percentile). Illinois's cost-of-living index is 100. State income tax applies.

Median
$102,495
+470.0% YoY
Entry
$72,100
Experienced
$133,900
Top 10%
$157,590

About Mechanical Engineers in Illinois

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

Hot 2026 Skills

EV designRoboticsAdditive manufacturingAI in CADSustainability engineering

ATS Keywords

SolidWorksAutoCADGD&TFEACFDCAD/CAMMATLABmanufacturingthermodynamics

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Illinois Metros

Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.

CityMedian
Chicago$104,486

How to Negotiate Your Mechanical Engineer Salary in Illinois

Walk-away anchor: $91,513.

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

Negotiate Beyond Base

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

Mechanical Engineer Salary FAQ — Illinois

What is the average Mechanical Engineer salary in Illinois?
The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Illinois is $102,495 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $66,950 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $157,590 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Mechanical Engineer pay in Illinois compare to the US average?
Mechanical Engineers in Illinois earn approximately 3% more than the US national median ($99,510 nationally vs $102,495 in Illinois). Illinois's cost-of-living index of 100 is close to the national average.
Did Mechanical Engineer salaries in Illinois increase in 2026?
Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Illinois grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $17,982 in 2025 to $102,495 in 2026. This reflects the broader Engineering sector's wage growth, driven by EV design and Robotics demand.
Which Illinois cities pay Mechanical Engineers the most?
Top-paying Illinois metros for Mechanical Engineers: Chicago ($104K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers in Illinois?
Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Illinois's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Logistics, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Illinois have state income tax?
Yes, Illinois has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $102,495, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Mechanical Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing, AI in CAD, Sustainability engineering. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Illinois employers.
How can I increase my Mechanical Engineer salary in Illinois?
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. Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for Illinois: $91,513.

Methodology

Illinois Mechanical Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($99,510) adjusted by Illinois's state multiplier (1.03×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.

Land a $102K+ Mechanical Engineer Role in Illinois

CVCraft scans your resume against Illinois ATS systems — free, 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free