Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Electrical Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median electrical engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $85,780 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$85,780
vs State Avg
$-13,600
vs National
$-18,830
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median electrical engineer salary of $85,780, which is $13,600 below the Illinois state average of $99,380. Compared to the national median of $104,610, 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 $85,780 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $104,610 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for electrical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for electrical engineers in Rockford spans from $54,120 at the 10th percentile to $132,840 at the 90th percentile — a $78,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,760, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $127,100. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $55,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $127,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,760
$-12,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,920
$-19,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$127,100
$-27,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $54,120
25th Percentile $68,060
Median (50th) $85,780
75th Percentile $108,240
90th Percentile $132,840

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$112,979
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$111,933
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$99,380
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$88,919
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Rockford

Education

Most electrical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rockford 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 Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Electrical Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $85,780 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $54,120 (10th percentile) to $132,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,780, a electrical engineer in Rockford earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median electrical engineer salary of $85,780 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $99,380. 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 electrical engineer salary of $85,780 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Rockford 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.