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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer, Intermediate in Illinois is $91,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Design Engineer, Intermediate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Engineer, Intermediate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $99,200 | $8,267 | $1,908 | $48 |
| Average | $91,300 | $7,608 | $1,756 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,800 | $6,733 | $1,554 | $39 |
EFOR - Chicago, IL
OPTO International - Wood Dale, IL
Blue Signal Search - Chicago, IL
SR Precision Holdings LLC - Troy, IL
A Design Engineer, Intermediate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer, Intermediate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Design Engineer, Entry | 0-2 years | $80,485 |
| Design Engineer, Intermediate | 2-4 years | $91,297 |
| Design Engineer, Senior | 4-7 years | $114,126 |
| Design Engineer - Project Lead | 7+ years | $139,351 |
| Design Engineer - Project Senior Lead | 7-10 years | $163,247 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Design Engineer, Intermediates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Design Engineer, Intermediate salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $102,205. While startup companies pay approximate $86,463.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $86,463 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $91,445 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $98,697 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $102,205 |
For Design Engineer, Intermediate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer, Intermediate positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer, Intermediate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $127,820 | $61.0 | 40% |
| Construction | $118,690 | $57.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $114,125 | $55.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $109,560 | $53.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $104,995 | $50.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Design Engineer, Intermediate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,200 | $8,267 | $1,908 | $48 |
| Average | $91,300 | $7,608 | $1,756 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,800 | $6,733 | $1,554 | $39 |
For a Design Engineer, Intermediate, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Engineer, Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,130 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer, Intermediate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Arnold Magnetic Technologies
Woodstock, IL
Arnold Magnetic Technologies | Woodstock, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Job purpose. Individual will be responsible for management of existing Design Engineering duties listed in the job descri... more
5 Days Ago
Hennig
Machesney Park, IL
Hennig | Machesney Park, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Create and maintain engineering drawings, bill of materials, routings and manufacturing programs. Process EC... more
5 Days Ago
Sterling Engineering Inc.
Wood Dale, IL
Sterling Engineering Inc. | Wood Dale, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Design Engineer. Location. Wood Dale, IL 60191. Hire Type. Direct Hire. Salary. $75,000 – $90,000 annually. Ou... more
6 Days Ago
AmTab Manufacturing Corporation
Bensenville, IL
AmTab Manufacturing Corporation | Bensenville, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. At. AmTab. Manufacturing Corporation, we take pride in delivering high-impact learning environments through ... more
6 Days Ago
Vactor Manufacturing
Streator, IL
Vactor Manufacturing | Streator, IL
Job Description. Job Description. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. Coordinate the development of layouts and design and/or modification in existing products, and info... more
6 Days Ago
Fehr Graham
East Peoria, IL
Fehr Graham | East Peoria, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Fehr Graham is a leading engineering and environmental firm with a passion for helping communities thrive. W... more
7 Days Ago
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