📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Materials Engineer Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$106,186
per year
Median
$101,661
per year
Hourly
$51.05
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$70,282
25th Percentile — Junior$89,833
50th Percentile — Median$101,661
75th Percentile — Senior$133,822
90th Percentile — Top Earners$150,097
💡 Top-earning Materials Engineers in Illinois make up to $150,097 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$92.5k
2021
$95.1k
2022
$97.7k
2023
$100.5k
2024
$103.3k
2025
$106.2k
2026
📈 Materials Engineer salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 2.8% annual growth. The strong presence in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Materials Engineer Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $118,928 +12.0% Medium
Aurora $108,310 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Materials Engineer Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Materials Engineers. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $106,186 per year, Illinois's Materials Engineer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $70,282–$89,833, while experienced Materials Engineers can command $133,822–$150,097.

Looking ahead, the Materials Engineer profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 2.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Materials Engineer salary in Illinois is $106,186 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $101,130.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Materials Engineers the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Materials Engineer employment.
  • At $106,186/year, Illinois Materials Engineer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $101,130/year.