Illinois Median
$126,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $112,860
State Rank
#7 of 45
290 employed here
How much does a Material Engineers make in Illinois?
Materials Engineers in Illinois take home a median of $126,620 annually — roughly $60.88 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $112,860.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $71,780 while the top 10% make $165,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,570 and $136,710 a year.
Material Engineers salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,780 | $34.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $91,570 | $44.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,620 | $60.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,710 | $65.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,710 | $79.67 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 7th out of 45 states and territories for Material Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Material Engineers salary in other states
New Mexico $165,600Maryland $140,640Washington $139,840Delaware $131,320Louisiana $128,670California $128,470New York $125,900Colorado $124,030Alaska $123,360Oregon $122,850Connecticut $122,300South Carolina $121,610Florida $118,780Texas $117,700Virginia $116,720Massachusetts $114,100Wyoming $110,970Alabama $107,580New Jersey $106,920Arizona $106,810Ohio $106,510Minnesota $106,220Idaho $105,820North Carolina $104,240Arkansas $103,900New Hampshire $101,290Indiana $101,120Georgia $100,840Kentucky $100,620Kansas $100,000Oklahoma $99,950Nevada $99,010Missouri $98,860Nebraska $98,270Pennsylvania $98,030Maine $97,110Wisconsin $96,210Michigan $94,050Tennessee $91,940Utah $88,080Rhode Island $87,180Mississippi $78,700Montana $76,030Iowa $64,270
Working as a Material Engineers in Illinois
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Materials 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 ($126,620) 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 Material Engineers make in Illinois?
The median Material Engineers salary in Illinois is $126,620 per year, or about $60.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,780 at the entry level to $165,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Materials Engineers about 12% more than the national median of $112,860. Illinois ranks 7th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Materials Engineers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $126,620 a year. About 290 Materials Engineers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Material Engineers 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.