Illinois Median
$121,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$58.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $125,040
State Rank
#15 of 41
520 employed here
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Illinois?
Chemical Engineers in Illinois take home a median of $121,560 annually — roughly $58.44 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $125,040.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $79,120 while the top 10% make $176,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,800 and $140,010 a year.
Chemical Engineer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,120 | $38.04 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $95,800 | $46.06 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $121,560 | $58.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $140,010 | $67.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,110 | $84.67 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 15th out of 41 states and territories for Chemical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Engineer salary in other states
New Mexico $158,190Virginia $136,380Alabama $135,030Louisiana $134,800Delaware $133,670Texas $132,750West Virginia $129,210New York $129,060Washington $128,290Oklahoma $127,790Montana $127,490Maryland $127,190New Jersey $126,760Colorado $125,800Massachusetts $118,000Iowa $117,590North Carolina $117,410Kentucky $117,170Pennsylvania $116,970Oregon $116,950North Dakota $115,400Indiana $113,160Rhode Island $111,590Ohio $111,200Florida $109,000Minnesota $107,670Idaho $106,740Mississippi $106,740Alaska $106,080Arkansas $105,270Georgia $103,880Michigan $103,230Missouri $102,320Connecticut $102,270Kansas $102,020South Carolina $101,570Nebraska $98,310Wisconsin $97,660Utah $85,520New Hampshire $73,250
Working as a Chemical Engineer in Illinois
Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Chemical 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 ($121,560) 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 a Chemical Engineer make in Illinois?
The median Chemical Engineer salary in Illinois is $121,560 per year, or about $58.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,120 at the entry level to $176,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Chemical Engineers about 3% less than the national median of $125,040. Illinois ranks 15th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Chemical Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $121,560 a year. About 520 Chemical 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 Chemical Engineer salary report
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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.