BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois

$138,940 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$66.8 per hour

▼ 14.6% below U.S. average16th of 41 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$138,940per year
Median$133,220per year
Hourly$66.8per hour
10th – 90th percentile$77,420 – $210,100per year

Computer Hardware Engineers Pay Range in Illinois

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$77,420
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$97,930
  • 50th Percentile — Median$133,220
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$165,360
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$210,100

Half of Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois earn more than $133,220. The top 10% make $210,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $77,420.

Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Illinois ranks 16th of 41 states for Computer Hardware Engineers pay, at $138,940 per year (14.6% below the U.S. average of $162,670).
  • 1,420 people work as Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois — 1.9% of all U.S. Computer Hardware Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.47: Computer Hardware Engineers jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $77,420; the top 10% earn over $210,100.
  • Hourly equivalent: $66.8 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $190,590.
  • Among engineering jobs in Illinois, Nuclear Engineers pays the most ($139,280).

Computer Hardware Engineers Job Market in Illinois

Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Computer Hardware Engineers here earn $138,940 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $138,940 is roughly equivalent to $132,324 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($144,240), North Carolina ($144,050), Virginia ($143,280) are the closest alternatives for Computer Hardware Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in Illinois?

The average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in Illinois is $138,940 per year (median $133,220), which is 14.6% below the national average of $162,670.

How does Illinois rank for Computer Hardware Engineers pay?

Illinois ranks 16th out of 41 states. The highest-paying state is California ($190,590/yr).

How much do entry-level Computer Hardware Engineers make in Illinois?

The lowest-paid 10% of Computer Hardware Engineers in Illinois earn about $77,420 per year and the 25th percentile is $97,930.

How much do Computer Hardware Engineers make per hour in Illinois?

About $66.8 per hour, based on the $138,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Computer Hardware Engineers work in Illinois?

BLS counts 1,420 Computer Hardware Engineers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).

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