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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Design Engineer in Illinois is $82,451 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Associate Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $87,627 | $7,302 | $1,685 | $42 |
| Average | $82,451 | $6,871 | $1,586 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,501 | $6,542 | $1,510 | $38 |
Ebco Inc - Elgin, IL
Components Express by 2Connect - Woodridge, IL
OPTO International - Wood Dale, IL
Blue Signal Search - Chicago, IL
An Associate Design 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Design 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Associate... Level Associate Design Engineer | $82,071 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $93,095 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $116,374 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $142,096 |
| Product D... Level Associate Design Engineer | $166,463 |
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 Associate Design Engineers. 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:
For Associate Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Associate Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $94,819 | $46.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $92,345 | $44.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $90,696 | $44.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $89,047 | $43.0 | 8% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $86,574 | $42.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Associate Design 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $87,627 | $7,302 | $1,685 | $42 |
| Average | $82,451 | $6,871 | $1,586 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,501 | $6,542 | $1,510 | $38 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Design Engineer 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
4 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
4 Days Ago
SR Precision Holdings LLC
Troy, IL
SR Precision Holdings LLC | Troy, IL
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a skilled and motivated Design Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will use SOLIDWORKS to... more
5 Days Ago
Sterling Engineering Inc.
Monee, IL
Sterling Engineering Inc. | Monee, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Title. Design Engineer. Location. Near Monee, IL. Hire Type. Direct Hire. Compensation. $100k/yr. – $130k/yr. Benefits. I... more
5 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
5 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
5 Days Ago
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