Electrical Engineer Salary in Northbrook, IL: $104,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Northbrook, IL earns a median $104,217/year (≈ $50.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Northbrook's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $107,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Northbrook, Illinois, the median annual salary for electrical engineers is projected to be $104,217 in 2026. This figure places local electrical engineer pay well below the national median of $125,033, indicating a compensation difference of around 16.65%. Salaries in the area range from $67,059 at the lower end to $153,873 at the upper end, reflecting the diversity of roles available within the sector. Given Northbrook's proximity to major corporations in semiconductor design, defense contracting, and utilities, the demand remains strong, although market competition can significantly influence pay scales for specific specialties.
About the Northbrook Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,059 | $32.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,891 | $38.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,217 | $50.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,482 | $62.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,873 | $73.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northbrook
In Northbrook, IL, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,814 (2026 est.). At $104,217, the local median is 16.65% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northbrook: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northbrook Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Northbrook median: $104,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northbrook Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $105,697 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.65% less |
Electrical Engineers in Northbrook, IL earn a median of $104,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.65% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $105,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northbrook 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.
Northbrook, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,217 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,126
2025 BLS Actual
$100,547
2026 Current Est.
$104,217
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,126 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,702 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,145 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,547 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northbrook metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,126 (2019) to $100,547 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,895 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northbrook 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) | $67,059 – $79,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,891 – $104,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,217 – $130,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,482 – $153,873 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Northbrook
The local job market for electrical engineers shows a modest employment level, with just eight professionals currently operating in the area. Northbrook’s cost of living index stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can impact the effective purchasing power of salaries. Companies like Intel and Nvidia, focusing on chip design, are known to offer higher salaries than those in utility power systems, where roles typically pay less but provide long-term benefits. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to factors such as required security clearances for defense roles, advanced degrees like PhDs that command premiums, and the choice between management and individual contributor paths. For electrical engineers in Northbrook, pursuing roles in the semiconductor industry or gaining a security clearance can greatly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Northbrook, 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 $100,547 for electrical engineersin the Northbrook 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 Northbrook 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