Electrical Engineer Salary in Joliet, IL: $104,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Joliet, IL earns a median $104,980/year (≈ $50.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $108,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, the anticipated electrical engineer salary in 2026 is $104,980, which reflects a notable disparity compared to the national median of $125,033. Local salary estimates show a broad range from $67,124 at the 10th percentile to $162,719 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the potential for significant variation in pay based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors. The market conditions in Joliet indicate a strong demand for electrical engineering expertise, likely fueled by growth in sectors such as automotive and semiconductor design, which often require advanced qualifications and security clearances.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,124 | $32.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,585 | $38.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,980 | $50.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,374 | $64.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,719 | $78.24 |
Median Salary Position
16.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,595 (2026 est.). At $104,980, the local median is 16.04% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $104,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $105,614 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.04% less |
Electrical Engineers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $104,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.04% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $105,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,980 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,727
2025 BLS Actual
$101,283
2026 Current Est.
$104,980
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
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 | $82,727 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,314 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,797 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,283 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,727 (2019) to $101,283 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,085 (31.53%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,124 – $80,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,585 – $104,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,980 – $134,374 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,374 – $162,719 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Joliet
The job market for electrical engineers in Joliet involves about 25 employed professionals, presenting a relatively small but focused community. The area's cost-of-living index, standing at 97.1, suggests that salaries might stretch further, enabling a decent quality of life despite being slightly below the national average. Companies that typically offer the most competitive pay among local employers include tech giants like Apple and Intel, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, and growing automotive firms like Tesla. The wage discrepancy often results from varying industry demands—semiconductor roles, for example, generally command higher pay than those in utility sectors. For engineers in Joliet, maximizing salary potential may involve pursuing advanced degrees like a PhD or obtaining specialized credentials such as the Professional Engineer license, as well as considering career pathways that favor management positions over traditional individual contributor roles.
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
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 $101,283 for electrical engineersin the Joliet 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 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