Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Marine Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median marine engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $79,466 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$79,466
vs State Avg
$-12,599
vs National
$-17,444
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median marine engineer salary of $79,466, which is $12,599 below the Illinois state average of $92,065. Compared to the national median of $96,910, 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 $79,466 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,910 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for marine engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for marine engineers in Rockford spans from $47,560 at the 10th percentile to $124,640 at the 90th percentile — a $77,080 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,840, while senior marine engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $118,900. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Marine Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level marine engineer earns around $50,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $118,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,840
$-11,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,360
$-17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,900
$-26,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $47,560
25th Percentile $62,320
Median (50th) $79,466
75th Percentile $101,680
90th Percentile $124,640

Marine Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$104,663
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$103,694
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$92,065
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$82,374
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Marine Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Key Skills

Naval ArchitectureMarine SystemsCADPropulsionMaritime LawProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, marine engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Marine Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open marine engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Marine Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Marine Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median marine engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $79,466 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $96,910. Salaries range from $47,560 (10th percentile) to $124,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Marine Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,466, a marine 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 marine engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median marine engineer salary of $79,466 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $92,065. 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 marine engineer salary of $79,466 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a marine engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most marine engineer positions in Rockford require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Naval Architecture, Marine Systems, CAD, Propulsion. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.