Electrical Engineer Salary in Gurnee, IL: $104,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Gurnee, IL earns a median $104,127/year (≈ $50.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $107,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for electrical engineers in 2026 is $104,127, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $125,033. The local salary range spans from $66,960 at the 10th percentile to $150,136 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a competitive market for engineering roles. Given the area's modest employment levels, with just eight electrical engineers currently employed, Gurnee's job market will rely heavily on demand for specialized skills, including potential security clearance requirements that could further influence salary potential in this region.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,127 | $50.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,937 | $61.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,136 | $72.18 |
Median Salary Position
16.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,176 (2026 est.). At $104,127, the local median is 16.72% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $104,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $105,712 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.72% less |
Electrical Engineers in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $104,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.72% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $105,712.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,127 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,237 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,055
2025 BLS Actual
$100,460
2026 Current Est.
$104,127
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,044 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,067 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,055 (2019) to $100,460 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,872 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,960 – $79,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,710 – $104,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,127 – $127,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,937 – $150,136 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Gurnee
The cost of living index in Gurnee stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, meaning that engineers may enjoy better purchasing power relative to their salaries compared to other regions. Employers like Tesla and defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin may offer the highest salaries, driven by industry demands and the potential for security clearances that often attract premium compensation. Factors such as educational qualifications, whether holding a bachelor's or a master's degree, and whether one is on the management track versus remaining an individual contributor play significant roles in salary disparities. For electrical engineers looking to maximize their pay in Gurnee, pursuing certifications like FE/PE, gaining experience in high-demand sectors like semiconductors, and enhancing technical skills related to chip design could greatly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,460 for electrical engineersin the Gurnee metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee 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