Illinois Median
$133,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $161,740
State Rank
#20 of 41
1,420 employed here
How much does a Computer Hardware Engineer make in Illinois?
Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois take home a median of $133,220 annually — roughly $64.05 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $161,740.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $77,420 while the top 10% make $210,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $97,930 and $165,360 a year.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,420 | $37.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $97,930 | $47.08 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $133,220 | $64.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $165,360 | $79.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,100 | $101.01 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories for Computer Hardware Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in other states
California $185,180Washington $169,120Massachusetts $167,600New Mexico $165,350Texas $163,860New York $163,470District of Columbia $163,360Hawaii $159,880Arizona $158,280Colorado $156,080Maryland $152,730New Jersey $142,880Virginia $139,030Alabama $136,990Delaware $135,690Nebraska $134,950North Carolina $134,670Minnesota $134,300Florida $134,160Idaho $131,570Tennessee $130,830New Hampshire $129,140Iowa $125,120South Carolina $125,110Arkansas $120,290Michigan $119,670Rhode Island $119,510Ohio $118,160Nevada $116,530Kentucky $116,200Utah $106,950Missouri $103,980Kansas $101,750South Dakota $101,400Georgia $100,210Indiana $98,350Oklahoma $95,600Wisconsin $83,670Louisiana $83,550Mississippi $78,320
Working as a Computer Hardware Engineer in Illinois
Nationally, about 77,000 people work as Computer Hardware 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 ($133,220) 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 Computer Hardware Engineer make in Illinois?
The median Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Illinois is $133,220 per year, or about $64.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,420 at the entry level to $210,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Computer Hardware Engineers about 18% less than the national median of $161,740. Illinois ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $133,220 a year. About 1,420 Computer Hardware 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 Computer Hardware 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.