Mechanical Engineer Salary in Illinois: $102K Median

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.

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.

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.

Top-paying Illinois metros for Mechanical Engineers: Chicago ($104K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

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.

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.

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.

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.