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Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary in Illinois

How much does a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer make in Illinois?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer in Illinois is $147,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,785
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,200 to $156,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,555
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View as table View as graph 25% $141,200 10% $135,555 90% $164,785 75% $156,500 $147,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $156,500 $13,042 $3,010 $75
Average $147,400 $12,283 $2,835 $71
25th Percentile $141,200 $11,767 $2,715 $68
Check out Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Job Openings in Illinois
Manufacturing Engineer

Vactor Manufacturing - Streator, IL

Manufacturing Engineer

L2x Talent Solutions - Downers Grove, IL

Manufacturing Engineer

Hennig - Machesney Park, IL

Manufacturing Engineer

FIC AMERICA CORP. - Carol Stream, IL

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Key Factors That Influence Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries

A Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer'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.

How Experience Level Affects Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer'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:

  • Senior Manufacturing Engineer (4-7 years): $105,167
  • Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer (7+ years): $128,290
  • Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer (7-10 years): $147,386
  • Production Process Engineer VI (10-12 years): $175,184
  • Production Process Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $100,331
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Manufacturing Engineer4-7 years$105,167
Specialist/Lead Manufacturing Engineer7+ years$128,290
Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer7-10 years$147,386
Production Process Engineer VI10-12 years$175,184
Production Process Engineering Supervisor12+ years$100,331
$105,167 Senior Ma...
$128,290 Specialis...
$147,386 Principal...
$175,184 Productio...
$100,331 Productio...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineers

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:

  • Effingham: $135,900
  • Saint Peter: $135,700
  • Salem: $136,200

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $165,633. While startup companies pay approximate $140,224.

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$140,224
Growth Stage51~500$148,269
Established501~5000$159,977
Enterprise5000+$165,633

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$184,250$89.025%
Pharmaceuticals$176,880$85.020%
Internet$169,510$81.015%
Aerospace & Defense$165,088$79.012%
Energy & Utilities$162,140$78.010%

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$141,200
Average $147,400/year
$156,500
$11,767
Average $12,283/month
$13,042
$2,715
Average $2,835/week
$3,010
$68
Average $71/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $156,500 $13,042 $3,010 $75
Average $147,400 $12,283 $2,835 $71
25th Percentile $141,200 $11,767 $2,715 $68

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer
Biologics Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Manufacturing Execution System Supervisor
Production Process Engineer VI
Supervisor - Production Engineering
Manufacturing Execution System Manager
Production Process Engineering Supervisor, Sr.
Manufacturing Production Engineering Manager

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologics Manufacturing Engineering Manager $130,700 -11%
Manufacturing Execution System Supervisor $126,500 -14%
Production Process Engineer VI $175,200 19%
Supervisor - Production Engineering $115,600 -22%

Salaries of jobs related to Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer

Find Your Next Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal/Expert Manufacturing Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • HotRun Inc.

    Chicago, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    HotRun Inc. | Chicago, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. As the Manufacturing Engineer / Production Engineer you would be the go to in ensuring the needs of manufacturing, mainte... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Sterling Engineering Inc.

    Elgin, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Sterling Engineering Inc. | Elgin, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Title. Manufacturing Engineer. Location. Elgin, IL. Hire Type. Direct Hire. Salary. $80K-$95K/YR. Benefits. Medical, Dent... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Kaney, Inc

    Rockford, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Kaney, Inc | Rockford, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Manufacturing Engineer provides a high level of expertise to support and improve the manufacture of both... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Knapheide Manufacturing

    Quincy, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Knapheide Manufacturing | Quincy, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Position Overview:Support assembly operations with the necessary tooling and processes in an efficient and timely manner.... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Signode

    Roselle, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Signode | Roselle, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. With over $2B in revenue, 80+ manufacturing facilities across 6 continents and over 9,000 employees ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Burgess Norton Mfg Co

    Geneva, IL

    Manufacturing Engineer

    Burgess Norton Mfg Co | Geneva, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. ABOUT THE ROLE. Amsted Automotive, Powder Metal Division, is looking for Manufacturing Engineer who will be responsible t... more

    7 Days Ago

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