Engineering Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median electrical engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $111,933 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$111,933
vs State Avg
+$12,553
vs National
+$7,323
Cost of Living
107%

Electrical Engineer Pay in Chicago: What to Expect (2026)

Chicago offers a median electrical engineer salary of $111,933, which is $12,553 above the Illinois state average of $99,380. Compared to the national median of $104,610, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for electrical engineers in Chicago spans from $70,620 at the 10th percentile to $173,340 at the 90th percentile — a $102,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,760, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $165,850. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $72,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $165,850 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,760
+$4,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,420
+$7,420 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$165,850
+$10,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $70,620
25th Percentile $88,810
Median (50th) $111,933
75th Percentile $141,240
90th Percentile $173,340

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$112,979
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$99,380
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$88,919
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$85,780
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Chicago

Education

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

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Electrical Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $111,933 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $70,620 (10th percentile) to $173,340 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,933, a electrical engineer in Chicago earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Chicago's median electrical engineer salary of $111,933 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $99,380. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a electrical engineer salary of $111,933 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Chicago? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.