Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Illinois
Based on 1K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$133,220
$64.05/hr
vs National Average
$130,164
+2.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$77K – $210K
1K employed in Illinois
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Illinois averages $133,220 per year, placing the state 2% above the national average. With approximately 1,420 workers employed in this field across Illinois, the profession offers competitive compensation for those designing and developing computer hardware components and systems.
Several factors influence Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Illinois, including years of experience, educational credentials, and industry specialization. Geographic location within the state, company size, and sector focus—such as manufacturing, semiconductors, or aerospace—also play significant roles. Engineers working for larger corporations or in specialized tech hubs typically command higher salaries within the state's range of $77,420 to $210,100.
Salary Distribution — Computer Hardware Engineer in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,420 |
| 25th percentile | $97,930 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $133,220 |
| 75th percentile | $165,360 |
| 90th percentile | $210,100 |
Top-Paying Industries for Computer Hardware Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Computer Hardware Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $169,030 | 6K |
| Finance and Insurance | $167,190 | 290 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $165,530 | 4K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $165,350 | 30K |
| Manufacturing | $161,530 | 26K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Computer Hardware Engineer in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $119,240 |
| 2023 | $123,590 |
| 2024 | $107,720 |
| 2025 | $133,220 |
| 2026 (projected) | $141,213 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $119,240 | $111,329 |
| 2023 | $123,590 | $118,630 |
| 2024 | $107,720 | $126,815 |
| 2025 | $133,220 | $130,164 |
| 2026 (projected) | $141,213 | $137,974 |
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $97,930 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $133,220 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $165,360 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $210,100 |
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Computer Hardware Engineer Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Computer Hardware Engineer ($133,220 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Computer Hardware Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IL | $171,730 | +28.9% | $82.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in IL | $142,500 | +7.0% | $68.51/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in IL | $136,540 | +2.5% | $65.64/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IL | $132,790 | -0.3% | $63.84/hr |
| Software Developer in IL | $132,110 | -0.8% | $63.51/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IL | $124,180 | -6.8% | $59.70/hr |
| Statistician in IL | $119,760 | -10.1% | $57.58/hr |
| Data Scientist in IL | $106,560 | -20.0% | $51.23/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IL | $101,570 | -23.8% | $48.83/hr |
| Network Administrator in IL | $100,080 | -24.9% | $48.12/hr |
| Software Engineer in IL | $99,360 | -25.4% | $47.77/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IL | $89,800 | -32.6% | $43.17/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Illinois?
- The median salary for computer hardware engineers in Illinois is $133,220 per year, or $64 per hour. This is 2.3% higher than the national average, making Illinois a competitive state for this profession.
What is the salary range for computer hardware engineers in Illinois?
- Computer hardware engineers in Illinois earn between $77,420 and $210,100 annually, depending on experience, education, and employer. This wide range reflects the variation in compensation across different companies and career stages.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Illinois?
- There are approximately 1,420 computer hardware engineers currently employed in Illinois. This represents a substantial professional community in the state's tech industry.
Is Illinois a good state for computer hardware engineer salaries?
- Yes, Illinois offers competitive compensation for computer hardware engineers with a median salary of $133,220 annually, which exceeds the national average by 2.3%. The state's salary range from $77,420 to $210,100 provides good earning potential at all career levels.