Electrical Engineers, Chicago

$113,520

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Middle half of wages roughly $92,320 to $134,330.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
−5.9%
US median
$120,630
Metro RPP
103.6
Middle half
$92,320 to $134,330
OEWS employment
4,290
SOC
17-2071

Electrical Engineers in Chicago pay a median $113,520 (May 2025), 5.9% below the US median of $120,630. At local prices (RPP 103.6), that median buys about what $109,575 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$113,520 in Chicago buys about what $109,575 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 103.6, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 112 vs all-items 103.6 (US = 100, 2024).

Electrical Engineers in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Chicago $113,520 $92,320 to $134,330 103.6
Phoenix $99,160 $81,040 to $131,260 103.3
San Francisco $166,030 $124,720 to $204,490 115.6
Tulsa $105,180 $93,090 to $130,490 89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Electrical Engineers in Chicago?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Electrical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $113,520.
How does Chicago pay compare to the US median for Electrical Engineers?
Local median pay is 5.9% below the national OEWS median of $120,630.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Chicago is 103.6 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $113,520 has about the same purchasing power as $109,575 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.