Mechanical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 444 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lisle, Oak Brook, Westmont, Des Plaines, Franklin Park.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,000 |
| 25th | $87,547 |
| 50th (median) | $96,172 |
| 75th | $122,221 |
| 90th | $135,986 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $76,149 | $74,693 | $89,794 | 305 |
| FY2021 | $78,208 | $76,149 | $95,700 | 287 |
| FY2022 | $80,309 | $78,208 | $96,632 | 310 |
| FY2023 | $90,000 | $80,309 | $110,898 | 258 |
| FY2024 | $87,547 | $83,013 | $104,983 | 250 |
| FY2025 | $90,106 | $87,547 | $114,400 | 247 |
| FY2026 | $106,870 | $90,106 | $124,000 | 197 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Mechanical Engineer salary of $96,172 is worth about $92,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $102,070 in May 2025 (6,900 employed). The H-1B median here is $96,172, 6% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Tech Mahindra | $87,548 | 24 |
| Traton R&D | $137,645 | 21 |
| CNH Industrial America | $115,676 | 18 |
| Gamma Technologies | $106,870 | 16 |
| HCLTech | $90,106 | 14 |
| Intellectt | $97,760 | 10 |
| International Motors | too few | 9 |
| Caresoft Global Technologies | too few | 7 |
| SBA Acquisition Group | too few | 7 |
| Stantec Consulting Services | too few | 7 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $75,000 | 89 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $90,106 | 187 |
| Senior · Level III | $108,160 | 71 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,144 | 82 |
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 | $70,200 | $75,000 | 89 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $87,547 | $90,106 | 187 |
| Senior · Level III | $106,870 | $108,160 | 71 |
| Expert · Level IV | $123,635 | $130,144 | 82 |
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.