Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Mechanical Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
122% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Illinois spans from $72,150 at entry-level to $160,160 at senior level — a difference of $88,010 per year.
Senior Mechanical Engineerss in Illinois earn $88,010 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Mechanical Engineers salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $72,150 | $6,012 | $34.69 |
| Early Career | P25 | $83,800 | $6,983 | $40.29 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $102,680 | $8,557 | $49.37 |
| Experienced | P75 | $130,730 | $10,894 | $62.85 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $160,160 | $13,347 | $77.00 |
Mechanical Engineers in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $72,150, while senior-level professionals earn $160,160 — a 122% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($102,680) and experienced level ($130,730), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Where does Illinois rank for Mechanical Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Mechanical Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $72,150 per year, or $6,012 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $83,800. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Mechanical Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $160,160 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $130,730. This represents a career premium of 122% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Mechanical Engineerss is 122%. Entry-level professionals start at $72,150, while senior-level can earn up to $160,160 — a difference of $88,010 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Mechanical Engineerss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $160,160 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Illinois's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Illinois's leading institutions.
See how Mechanical Engineers pay grows from entry-level to senior across the top-paying states.
Drill deeper into Mechanical Engineers pay, hiring, and education data for Illinois.
Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS