Electrical Engineer Salary in Illinois
Based on 5K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$107,860
$51.86/hr
vs National Average
$114,434
-5.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$75K – $164K
5K employed in Illinois
Electrical engineers in Illinois earn a median salary of $107,860 per year, with approximately 5,460 workers employed in the state. This compensation is about 6% below the national average, though individual earnings vary significantly across the field. The salary range spans from $75,470 to $164,290 annually, reflecting differences in experience and specialization.
Several factors influence electrical engineer salary in Illinois, including years of experience, educational credentials, industry sector, and specific technical expertise. Engineers working in specialized fields like power generation or telecommunications typically command higher compensation than those in general manufacturing. Geographic location within Illinois, company size, and certifications also play meaningful roles in determining individual earning potential within this profession.
Salary Distribution — Electrical Engineer in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,470 |
| 25th percentile | $87,360 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $107,860 |
| 75th percentile | $131,960 |
| 90th percentile | $164,290 |
Top H-1B Employers for Electrical Engineer in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caterpillar Inc. | 10 | $98,550 |
| 2 | Rivian Automotive, LLC | 9 | $136,633 |
| 3 | CATERPILLAR INC. | 5 | $111,675 |
| 4 | Traton R&D US LLC | 5 | $142,000 |
| 5 | Yaskawa America, Inc. | 4 | $98,613 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Electrical Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $85,119 | 16 |
| Level II | Qualified | $98,613 | 34 |
| Level III | Experienced | $128,406 | 29 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $138,362 | 32 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Electrical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Electrical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Electrical Engineers in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $165,890 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $134,040 | 720 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $130,610 | 10K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $126,920 | 10K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $126,210 | 4K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Electrical Engineer in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $96,990 |
| 2023 | $104,120 |
| 2024 | $104,000 |
| 2025 | $107,860 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,863 |
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 | $96,990 | $101,706 |
| 2023 | $104,120 | $106,188 |
| 2024 | $104,000 | $111,022 |
| 2025 | $107,860 | $114,434 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,863 | $118,681 |
Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $87,360 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $107,860 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $131,960 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $164,290 |
Electrical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Electrical Engineer Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Electrical Engineer ($107,860 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Electrical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in IL | $163,610 | +51.7% | $78.66/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in IL | $134,510 | +24.7% | $64.67/hr |
| Materials Engineer in IL | $126,620 | +17.4% | $60.88/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in IL | $121,560 | +12.7% | $58.44/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in IL | $108,940 | +1.0% | $52.38/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in IL | $107,990 | +0.1% | $51.92/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in IL | $102,680 | -4.8% | $49.37/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in IL | $100,540 | -6.8% | $48.34/hr |
| Civil Engineer in IL | $99,760 | -7.5% | $47.96/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in IL | $89,520 | -17.0% | $43.04/hr |
| Administrative Services Manager in IL | $106,860 | -0.9% | $51.38/hr |
| Construction Manager in IL | $109,160 | +1.2% | $52.48/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Illinois?
- The median salary for electrical engineers in Illinois is $107,860 per year, or $52 per hour. This is approximately 5.7% below the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for electrical engineers in Illinois?
- Electrical engineer salaries in Illinois range from $75,470 at the lower end to $164,290 at the higher end, representing a significant variation based on experience and specialization.
How many electrical engineers are employed in Illinois?
- There are currently 5,460 electrical engineers employed in Illinois, making it a meaningful job market for professionals in this field.
Is the Illinois electrical engineer salary higher or lower than the national average?
- Illinois electrical engineer salaries are 5.7% lower than the national average, with the state median of $107,860 falling slightly below what electrical engineers earn across the United States.