Mechanical Engineers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $100,390/year ($48.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $150K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $96,911 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 28.1% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $100K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About mechanical engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $150K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $141K | +38% | 1,690 |
| District of Columbia | $130K | +27% | 590 |
| Alaska | $130K | +27% | 530 |
| California | $126K | +24% | 27,090 |
| Massachusetts | $123K | +20% | 9,430 |
| Wyoming | $117K | +14% | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $115K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Louisiana | $114K | +11% | 1,650 |
| Maryland | $112K | +9% | 6,330 |
| Washington | $109K | +7% | 9,350 |
| Texas | $108K | +6% | 18,790 |
| New Jersey | $107K | +5% | 4,440 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +4% | 5,310 |
| Delaware | $106K | +4% | 530 |
| South Carolina | $105K | +3% | 5,060 |
| New York | $105K | +3% | 8,420 |
| New Hampshire | $104K | +2% | 2,580 |
| Idaho | $104K | +1% | 970 |
| Michigan | $103K | +0% | 31,830 |
| Arizona | $103K | +0% | 5,440 |
| Maine | $102K | -1% | 940 |
| Oregon | $101K | -1% | 3,080 |
| North Carolina | $101K | -1% | 9,390 |
| West Virginia | $101K | -2% | 860 |
| Vermont | $101K | -2% | 530 |
| Illinois | $100K | -3% | 9,920 |
| Kentucky | $99K | -3% | 3,050 |
| Virginia | $99K | -3% | 7,960 |
| Tennessee | $99K | -3% | 3,680 |
| Montana | $99K | -3% | 580 |
| Indiana | $99K | -3% | 8,650 |
| Utah | $99K | -3% | 3,540 |
| Minnesota | $99K | -3% | 5,970 |
| Nevada | $98K | -4% | 1,090 |
| Iowa | $98K | -5% | 4,230 |
| Alabama | $98K | -5% | 5,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $97K | -5% | 14,300 |
| Florida | $97K | -5% | 8,860 |
| Georgia | $97K | -5% | 5,180 |
| Ohio | $96K | -6% | 16,420 |
| Hawaii | $95K | -7% | 460 |
| Wisconsin | $95K | -7% | 8,060 |
| Missouri | $92K | -10% | 3,950 |
| Kansas | $92K | -10% | 4,120 |
| Mississippi | $91K | -11% | 1,210 |
| South Dakota | $91K | -11% | 680 |
| Oklahoma | $91K | -12% | 2,250 |
| North Dakota | $84K | -18% | 770 |
| Nebraska | $83K | -19% | 860 |
| Arkansas | $79K | -23% | 1,150 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $100,390 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,490, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $150,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,170/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineers salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineers salary is worth about $96,911 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.