Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Joliet, IL: $67,124 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Joliet, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,124 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Joliet's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,129 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,980) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates seeking employment as electrical engineers in Joliet, Illinois, can expect an entry-level electrical engineer salary around $67,124. This figure presents a noticeable gap compared to the city median annual salary of $104,980, highlighting the initial earnings potential for early-career professionals. For fresh graduates, salaries generally range from this baseline to about $80,585 as they gain experience over the first few years. Consequently, recent entrants into the field can expect a growth trajectory that leads them toward the median salary within roughly three to five years, indicating healthy salary progression. Given Joliet's job market dynamics, particularly in sectors like utilities and manufacturing, it remains a favorable location for new electrical engineering graduates to launch their careers.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Joliet
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 Joliet
Entry-level electrical engineers in Joliet, IL typically start between $67,124 and $80,585 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,595 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,980 — 16.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Illinois of $80,000 represents just 119.18% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($67,124/year) in Joliet. 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 Joliet
- 1Research the Joliet market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $67,124 to $80,585, 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 Joliet, 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 Joliet for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Joliet'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 Joliet is $95,595 ( 142.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,124, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,719.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,314
2025 BLS Actual
$64,760
2026 Current Est.
$67,124
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,756 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,644 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,574 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Joliet, IL grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,314 in 2019 to $64,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,574. New graduates entering the Joliet job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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 Joliet
For those entering the field, various prominent employers in Joliet actively recruit fresh engineering grads, particularly in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and defense. Companies such as Apple, AMD, and Intel frequently seek candidates with robust engineering backgrounds, often targeting those from top-tier programs. These businesses typically favor candidates with a Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution and encourage obtaining the Engineer in Training (EIT) credential by passing the FE exam during their senior year. Furthermore, utility companies tend to offer stability but may lag behind the semiconductor sector in terms of pay; however, they provide solid career growth and pension plans. For those considering roles that require government clearance, openings at defense contractors offer a premium in compensation, making it worthwhile for graduates to explore security credentials. As they embark on their careers, new graduates can anticipate salary increments in their first few years due to demand for specialized skills, especially in chip design and power systems, aligning with industry growth trends.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 Joliet. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Joliet is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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