Expert Electrical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 50 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Oakbrook Terrace, Lisle, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove.
Also listed as: Electrical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $132,912 |
| 25th | $138,362 |
| 50th (median) | $140,000 |
| 75th | $149,593 |
| 90th | $161,814 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $116,110 | $115,000 | $120,867 | 13 |
| FY2021 | $119,664 | $113,700 | $132,184 | 14 |
| FY2022 | $114,920 | $112,570 | $125,000 | 29 |
| FY2023 | $125,000 | $118,205 | $133,723 | 32 |
| FY2024 | $132,912 | $120,432 | $140,234 | 28 |
| FY2025 | $140,000 | $132,912 | $150,000 | 29 |
| FY2026 | $140,000 | $138,362 | $148,220 | 21 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Electrical Engineer salary of $140,000 is worth about $135,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Electrical Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $113,520 in May 2025 (4,290 employed). The H-1B median here is $140,000, 23% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Traton R&D | too few | 5 |
| Milhouse Engineering & Construction | too few | 4 |
| International Motors | too few | 3 |
| Deere & Company | too few | 2 |
| Ge Grid Solutions | too few | 2 |
| Invenergy | too few | 2 |
| Medline Industries | too few | 2 |
| Milwaukee Electric Tool | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $79,000 | 49 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $99,000 | 100 |
| Senior · Level III | $123,000 | 55 |
| Expert · Level IV | $140,000 | 50 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $78,749 | $79,000 | 49 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $98,613 | $99,000 | 100 |
| Senior · Level III | $118,498 | $123,000 | 55 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,362 | $140,000 | 50 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.