Expert Mechanical Engineer salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 82 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV 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 | $122,221 |
| 25th | $123,659 |
| 50th (median) | $130,144 |
| 75th | $144,000 |
| 90th | $165,345 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $105,726 | $104,874 | $106,331 | 23 |
| FY2021 | $107,162 | $106,000 | $120,563 | 27 |
| FY2022 | $118,124 | $107,162 | $126,280 | 36 |
| FY2023 | $112,388 | $111,197 | $120,352 | 40 |
| FY2024 | $122,221 | $118,123 | $140,000 | 29 |
| FY2025 | $127,000 | $122,221 | $143,320 | 43 |
| FY2026 | $131,027 | $125,362 | $143,768 | 39 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median expert Mechanical Engineer salary of $130,144 is worth about $125,600 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 $130,144, 28% 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 | $150,649 | 16 |
| International Motors | too few | 8 |
| CNH Industrial America | too few | 5 |
| Knowles Electronics | too few | 3 |
| Uop | too few | 3 |
| Ford | too few | 2 |
| Gam Enterprises | too few | 2 |
| Institute of Gas Technology | too few | 2 |
| Intellectt | 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 | $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.