Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median aerospace engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $104,042 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$104,042
vs State Avg
$-16,494
vs National
$-22,838
Cost of Living
82%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $104,042, which is $16,494 below the Illinois state average of $120,536. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $104,042 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Rockford spans from $63,960 at the 10th percentile to $157,440 at the 90th percentile — a $93,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,600, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,700. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $65,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,600
$-14,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,960
$-23,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,700
$-33,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $63,960
25th Percentile $82,000
Median (50th) $104,042
75th Percentile $131,200
90th Percentile $157,440

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$137,030
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$135,762
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$120,536
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$107,848
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Rockford

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $104,042 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $63,960 (10th percentile) to $157,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,042, a aerospace engineer in Rockford earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median aerospace engineer salary of $104,042 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $120,536. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $104,042 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Rockford require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.