Average Mechanical Engineers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Mechanical Engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $107,040. This figure is slightly below the national average of $109,640, suggesting a nuanced compensation landscape influenced by local industry demands and economic factors. While not reaching the national benchmark, the Chicago area offers a substantial earning potential for these vital engineering professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $107,040 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $150,430.
- Outlook: The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area hosts a significant workforce of 6,050 Mechanical Engineers. With a Location Quotient of 0.73, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a moderately developed but not overly saturated market. The presence of a substantial number of professionals suggests a stable demand for mechanical engineering expertise within the region's diverse industrial base.
Salary Overview
The average Mechanical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-2.4%below the national average.
$51.5
$2,058
$8,920
Mechanical Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Mechanical Engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area have experienced growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Economic expansion, technological advancements, and increased demand for specialized engineering skills typically drive upward salary adjustments in robust metropolitan areas.
Mechanical Engineers Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Salary progression for Mechanical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior engineers with extensive project management and design expertise can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify the career progression and increased earning potential associated with accumulating experience and specialized knowledge.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $67,490 | $32.4 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $80,280 | $38.6 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $100,390 | $48.3 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $133,800 | $64.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $150,430 | $72.3 |
Detailed Mechanical Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$107,040
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$107,040
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $107,040 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Mechanical Engineer's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced lifestyle without significant financial strain due to living expenses.
Job Market Context
6,050
Total Jobs
1.353
Per 1K Jobs
0.73
Location Quotient
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 0.73x the national average concentration of Mechanical Engineers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.73 for Mechanical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN suggests that the region employs fewer of these professionals per capita than the national average. This indicates a job market that is not overly saturated, potentially offering good opportunities for skilled engineers, though perhaps with less intense competition than in areas with a higher concentration.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN Mechanical Engineers Salary | $86,950↓ 19% | 41 mi |
| Kenosha, WI Mechanical Engineers Salary | $99,640↓ 7% | 51 mi |
| Kankakee, IL Mechanical Engineers Salary | $89,840↓ 16% | 55 mi |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI Mechanical Engineers Salary | $93,290↓ 13% | 59 mi |
| Niles, MI Mechanical Engineers Salary | $105,430↓ 2% | 71 mi |
Comparing salaries near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Hiring Mechanical Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Mechanical Engineers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median annual salary for a Mechanical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $107,040. This typically ranges from $67,490 for entry-level positions to $150,430 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 2.4% lower than the national median of $109,640.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Mechanical Engineers?
Yes, with a caveat.The average salary of $107,040 is competitive, especially considering the Cost of Living Index is at the national average. While slightly below the national average salary, the stable workforce size and moderate concentration suggest good career prospects.
Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Mechanical Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Michigan City-La Porte, IN ($86,950) and Kenosha, WI.
How does the Chicago Mechanical Engineer salary compare to the national average?
Mechanical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn an average of $107,040 annually, which is slightly less than the national average of $109,640.
What is the cost of living for Mechanical Engineers in Chicago?
The cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is exactly at the national average (index of 100), meaning your salary's purchasing power is comparable to the national standard.
How many Mechanical Engineers work in the Chicago area?
There are approximately 6,050 Mechanical Engineers employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.
Is the job market for Mechanical Engineers strong in Chicago?
With a Location Quotient of 0.73, the market is moderately developed, indicating a stable demand for Mechanical Engineers without being overly saturated, suggesting reasonable job availability.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,050 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 1.353 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Mechanical Engineers Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- All Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Management Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Production Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Browse All Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Mechanical Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN