Illinois Median
$108,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#35 of 41
200 employed here
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in Illinois?
An Aerospace Engineer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $108,940 per year, or about $52.38 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $134,960 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $78,170 while the top 10% make $184,520 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,300 and $153,800 a year.
Aerospace Engineer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,170 | $37.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $108,940 | $52.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $153,800 | $73.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,520 | $88.71 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 35th out of 41 states and territories for Aerospace Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Aerospace Engineer salary in other states
Minnesota $159,060Washington $158,370California $157,620District of Columbia $157,600Maryland $156,750Colorado $156,190Massachusetts $149,470Vermont $144,400Virginia $143,210Georgia $140,460Ohio $138,440Hawaii $137,240South Carolina $137,030Louisiana $136,970Utah $135,840Nebraska $135,670Pennsylvania $133,940New Mexico $132,850Missouri $130,680Kansas $130,330New York $130,330Texas $130,270Connecticut $129,500Florida $129,280Michigan $128,960Tennessee $128,510Alabama $127,540New Jersey $126,430Kentucky $126,130Oklahoma $125,470Oregon $124,630Arizona $123,170North Carolina $122,930Mississippi $109,200Indiana $107,400Arkansas $102,040Alaska $101,710Nevada $96,730Idaho $95,700Wisconsin $88,400
Working as an Aerospace Engineer in Illinois
Nationally, about 68,000 people work as Aerospace Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($108,940) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in Illinois?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in Illinois is $108,940 per year, or about $52.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,170 at the entry level to $184,520 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Aerospace Engineers about 19% less than the national median of $134,960. Illinois ranks 35th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $108,940 a year. About 200 Aerospace Engineers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Aerospace Engineer salary report
Related salaries
$161,740
median pay · 77,000 employed
$100,840
median pay · 368,000 employed
$104,110
median pay · 297,000 employed
$98,590
median pay · 1,000 employed
$82,890
median pay · 11,000 employed
$107,110
median pay · 38,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.