Mid-level Mechanical Engineer (R&D) salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Lemont, Batavia, Aurora.
Also listed as: Researcher Iii Mechanical Engineering
Median salary$90,063
Middle 50%$90.1k–$95.1k
vs. all levels here+0%comparison median $90,063
Filings17FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
All levels here
$80k$90k$100k$110k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $90,063 |
| 25th | $90,063 |
| 50th (median) | $90,063 |
| 75th | $95,098 |
| 90th | $95,100 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median mid-level Mechanical Engineer (R&D) salary of $90,063 is worth about $86,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| UChicago Argonne | $90,063 | 13 |
| Fermi Forward Discovery Group | too few | 4 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 7 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $90,063 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 5 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $70,346 | $90,063 | 17 |
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.