Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Oak Park, IL: $63,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Oak Park, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,213 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oak Park's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,101 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,893) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates seeking a career as an electrical engineer in Oak Park, Illinois, the starting electrical engineer salary is projected at $63,213 in 2026. This entry-level pay represents a notable gap from the city’s median salary of $104,893, indicating that early-career professionals can expect to progress over time. With a typical growth trajectory, salaries can rise to approximately $83,715 at the 25th percentile as young engineers accumulate experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, those navigating the first few years in this role may find promising opportunities, suggesting that Oak Park presents a viable market for new graduates to launch their careers.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oak Park
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 Oak Park
Entry-level electrical engineers in Oak Park, IL typically start between $63,213 and $83,715 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $93,763 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,893 — 16.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Illinois of $80,000 represents just 126.56% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($63,213/year) in Oak Park. 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 Oak Park
- 1Research the Oak Park market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $63,213 to $83,715, 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 Oak Park, 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 Oak Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oak Park'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 Oak Park is $93,763 ( 148.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,213, experienced hygienists can earn up to $156,976.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,208
2025 BLS Actual
$60,987
2026 Current Est.
$63,213
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,208 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,682 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,987 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,520 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Oak Park, IL grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,208 in 2019 to $60,987 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,520. New graduates entering the Oak Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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 Oak Park
Several companies actively recruit entry-level electrical engineers in Oak Park, with opportunities spanning different sectors. Semiconductor giants like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel seek new highly-qualified graduates for chip design roles, where starting salaries can significantly surpass local averages. Defense contractors such as Lockheed and Northrop often hire from a pool of candidates with security clearances through established internship pipelines, while utility companies prefer graduates from ABET-accredited programs who can step into power systems training rotations. Credentials such as passing the FE exam and obtaining EIT licensure during one's senior year can also enhance starting pay and career prospects. For those in their first few years, realistic pay growth in this field can be steady, particularly for those focusing on high-demand specializations like semiconductor design or roles in cleared environments. The participation in professional organizations such as the IEEE can also provide additional networking and educational resources to boost career advancement.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Oak Park in 2026?
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Is electrical engineering school worth it in Oak Park?
What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in Oak Park?
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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 Oak Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Park 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