Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $50.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Chicago, IL runs $50.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,028 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, mechanical engineers earn a median hourly pay of $50.50, slightly below the national median of $51.51. This competitive hourly rate reflects the city’s strong engineering sector, including aerospace, automotive, and HVAC industries. For mechanical engineers working part-time, such as those on a three-day work schedule, this rate translates to approximately $39,420 annually before taxes, providing a viable option for professionals seeking work-life balance or supplemental income. Entry-level positions start at around $33.10 per hour, while top earners can command rates reaching $78.04. Such roles in Chicago often involve working within advanced technical settings, emphasizing skills in CAD systems such as SolidWorks and NX, as well as participation in projects across manufacturing plant floors and aerospace facilities. These insights stem from projected salary data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.10 | $264.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.14 | $329.10 |
| Median (P50) | $50.50 | $404.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.48 | $515.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.04 | $624.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $50.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.50/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $105,046 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,603. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,020.11 | $8,754 | $105,046 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,212.07 | $5,252 | $63,028 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.05 | $3,502 | $42,018 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Chicago) | $50.50 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.06 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Industrial Engineer (National Avg) | $47.50 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
Mechanical Engineers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $105,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.60% above the Illinois state average of $103,396.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.50/hr = $63,028/year (purchasing power: $60,840).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,046/year (purchasing power: $101,401).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Chicago grew 16.8% from $42.01/hr (2019) to $49.07/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.98/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem mechanical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Mechanical Engineer in Chicago
Considering the financial implications for part-time mechanical engineers in Chicago, a typical 24-hour workweek results in an estimated annual take-home pay of $39,420. However, many in this field opt for per-diem positions due to the promise of higher wages. Contract work in the city often ranges from $90 to $160 per hour, with specialized HVAC professionals seeing rates as high as $100 to $180. Aerospace engineers working on sensitive projects might earn between $120 to $220 per hour, particularly in security-cleared environments. On the other end of the spectrum, mechanical engineers in consumer product firms like Apple enjoy competitive hourly compensation often influenced by technology giants' pay structures. It's common for engineers to trade off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding the varying pay scales across sectors can be advantageous for engineers navigating their career trajectories in Chicago.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for mechanical engineers in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov