Illinois · SOC 17-2141
Mechanical Engineer Salary in Illinois
VerifiedPublished wages for mechanical engineers in Illinois, straight from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024 release — the full percentile distribution, employment concentration, and metro detail.
Mechanical Engineers in Illinois earn a median of $99,730 per year ($104,460 mean), per BLS OEWS May 2024. The middle 50% earn $80,690–$124,490; the top 10% earn $143,500. That is 3% below the national median of $102,320, ranking Illinois #27 of 51 states that publish this occupation.
Median wage
Verified$99,730
-3% vs national
Top 10% earn
$143,500
90th percentile
Employed in state
9,920
Reliability High (4.7% RSE)
Mechanical Engineer pay distribution — Illinois vs national
Every figure below is a published BLS percentile. Bars share one scale, so the two distributions compare directly.
| Percentile | Annual wage | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentileentry / low | $67,200 | -2% |
| 25th percentile | $80,690 | -1% |
| Median50th percentile | $99,730 | -3% |
| 75th percentile | $124,490 | -4% |
| 90th percentiletop earners | $143,500 | -11% |
| Meanaverage | $104,460 | -5% |
Where mechanical engineers earn most in Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois where BLS publishes a wage for SOC 17-2141. Metros BLS withholds are not listed.
| Metro area | Median | Top 10% | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PeoriaPeoria, IL | $115,350 | $161,780 | 1,080 |
| ChicagoChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,390 | $150,430 | 6,050 |
| DecaturDecatur, IL | $100,100 | $131,660 | 60 |
| DavenportDavenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $100,090 | $132,370 | 1,110 |
| BloomingtonBloomington, IL | $98,110 | $127,390 | 120 |
| SpringfieldSpringfield, IL | $96,240 | $139,290 | 80 |
| ChampaignChampaign-Urbana, IL | $96,000 | $147,390 | 180 |
| PaducahPaducah, KY-IL | $94,110 | $147,260 | 110 |
| RockfordRockford, IL | $92,840 | $127,470 | 600 |
| KankakeeKankakee, IL | $92,050 | $124,230 | 40 |
| St. LouisSt. Louis, MO-IL | $86,390 | $132,500 | 1,730 |
| Cape GirardeauCape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,830 | $131,790 | 50 |
Illinois engineering labor market
Concentration and pay level across all engineering occupations BLS publishes for this state.
Location quotient
0.88
Jobs per 1,000
1.64
State rank (pay)
#27 of 51
All engineering roles
$114,895
A location quotient of 0.88 means Illinois employs mechanical engineers at roughly the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
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Source details
Published wage from BLS OEWS May 2024 for SOC 17-2141 (Mechanical Engineers), Illinois (state).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →