Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL: $79,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Chicago, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,458 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chicago's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,701 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,663) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
While pursuing a career as an electrical engineer in Chicago, new graduates can expect a starting salary around $79,458. This entry-level pay contrasts with the city median salary of $117,663, revealing a significant gap that emerging professionals will fill over the initial years of their career. Graduates can reasonably anticipate an upward trajectory in their earnings, moving towards the 25th percentile figure of $95,690 as they gain experience. The growth rate of 3.65% suggests a steady demand for electrical engineers in the market, making Chicago a promising place for newcomers to establish their careers in engineering.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chicago
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
Entry-level electrical engineers in Chicago, IL typically start between $79,458 and $95,690 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $92,487 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,663 — 5.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Illinois of $80,000 represents just 100.68% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($79,458/year) in Chicago. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Chicago
- 1Research the Chicago market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $79,458 to $95,690, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chicago, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Chicago for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chicago's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Chicago is $92,487 ( 116.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,458, experienced hygienists can earn up to $171,945.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,090
2025 BLS Actual
$76,660
2026 Current Est.
$79,458
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,358 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Chicago, IL grew 23.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $62,090 in 2019 to $76,660 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,358. New graduates entering the Chicago job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Chicago
Employers in the Windy City recognize the value of fresh talent, particularly in high-demand sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing. Companies like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel frequently seek recent graduates for various engineering roles, often emphasizing the importance of advanced education and relevant internships. Additionally, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman offer new employees pathways to secure positions with a premium for having security clearance. Holding a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program is essential, and taking the FE exam early on can set the stage for obtaining an EIT designation, which is crucial for career advancement. Professionals in this field can expect that their first few years will see starting electrical engineer salary Chicago enhancing gradually, especially for those who pivot toward the semiconductor industry or pursue credentials such as a PE license, positioning themselves for long-term success in a competitive market.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Chicago. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov