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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Chemical Engineer Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$121,560/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$58.44/hr
▼ 3% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
520
public U.S. Median
$125,040
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$121,611 #16 of 41

Chemical Engineer pay in Illinois, explained

Chemical engineers in Illinois earn a median of $121,560 per year ($58.44 per hour), which is 3% below the national median of $125,040. Entry-level workers earn around $79,120, while the most experienced chemical engineers reach about $176,110. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $121,560 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $121,560 is worth about $121,611 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #16 for real pay (vs #15 on the sticker number).

See the full Chemical Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Chemical Engineer pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$79,120
$38.04/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$121,560
$58.44/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$176,110
$84.67/hr

Chemical Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $121,560 $121,611 —
Iowa $117,590 $133,987 +$3,970
Kentucky $117,170 $129,959 +$4,390
Indiana $113,160 $121,248 +$8,400
Missouri $102,320 $112,666 +$19,240
Wisconsin $97,660 $103,789 +$23,900

Chemical Engineer in Illinois: FAQ

How much do chemical engineers make in Illinois?

Chemical engineers in Illinois earn a median of $121,560 per year ($58.44 per hour), compared with $125,040 nationally.

Does Illinois pay chemical engineers well?

At $121,560, Illinois pays 3% below the national median for chemical engineers. An estimated 520 work in the state.

Chemical Engineer salary in other states

New Mexico · $158,190 Virginia · $136,380 Alabama · $135,030 Louisiana · $134,800 Delaware · $133,670 Texas · $132,750 West Virginia · $129,210 New York · $129,060 Washington · $128,290 Oklahoma · $127,790 Montana · $127,490 Maryland · $127,190

All 41 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Illinois

Environmental Engineer $107,990/yr median Biomedical Engineer $89,520/yr median Mechanical Engineer $102,680/yr median