Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Industrial Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median industrial engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $78,146 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$78,146
vs State Avg
$-12,389
vs National
$-17,154
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median industrial engineer salary of $78,146, which is $12,389 below the Illinois state average of $90,535. Compared to the national median of $95,300, 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 $78,146 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,300 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for industrial engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for industrial engineers in Rockford spans from $50,020 at the 10th percentile to $121,360 at the 90th percentile — a $71,340 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,480, while senior industrial engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $116,440. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Industrial Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level industrial engineer earns around $52,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,480
$-11,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,720
$-17,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,440
$-25,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $50,020
25th Percentile $62,320
Median (50th) $78,146
75th Percentile $98,400
90th Percentile $121,360

Industrial Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$102,924
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$101,971
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$90,535
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$81,005
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Industrial Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Key Skills

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaProcess OptimizationAutoCADStatistical AnalysisOperations Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, industrial engineer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Industrial Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open industrial engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Industrial Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Industrial Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median industrial engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $78,146 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $95,300. Salaries range from $50,020 (10th percentile) to $121,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $78,146, a industrial engineer in Rockford earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for industrial engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median industrial engineer salary of $78,146 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $90,535. 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 industrial engineer salary of $78,146 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a industrial engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most industrial engineer positions in Rockford require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, AutoCAD. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.