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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Engineer in Illinois is $120,573 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a System Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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System Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $131,608 | $10,967 | $2,531 | $63 |
| Average | $120,573 | $10,048 | $2,319 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,322 | $9,277 | $2,141 | $54 |
Belcan - Mossville, IL
Global Connect Technologies - Mossville, IL
Global Connect Technologies - Mossville, IL
Beacon Hill - Chicago, IL
A System 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 a System 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 |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $84,076 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $103,238 |
| System En... Level System Engineer | $119,762 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $146,593 |
| Software ... Level System Engineer | $167,960 |
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 System 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 System Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, System Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view System Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $168,802 | $81.0 | 40% |
| Energy & Utilities | $138,659 | $67.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $135,042 | $65.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $130,219 | $63.0 | 8% |
| Biotechnology | $126,602 | $61.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a System 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 | $131,608 | $10,967 | $2,531 | $63 |
| Average | $120,573 | $10,048 | $2,319 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $111,322 | $9,277 | $2,141 | $54 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Full Spectrum
Lincolnshire, IL
Full Spectrum | Lincolnshire, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Full Spectrum partners with leading companies in MedTech to develop cutting-edge software for medical devices. With proje... more
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C5T Corporation
Scott Air Force Base, IL
C5T Corporation | Scott Air Force Base, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Information System Security Engineer (ISSE)The Opportunity. This role works directly with Department of Defense stakehold... more
6 Days Ago
Leapfrog Technology Group
Villa Park, IL
Leapfrog Technology Group | Villa Park, IL
Job Description. Job Description. In a nutshell. we're looking for an energetic and organized engineer that has impeccable communication and customer servi... more
4 Days Ago
ARES Solutions, Inc.
Chicago, IL
ARES Solutions, Inc. | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. . Currently, ARES Solutions, Inc. (ARES) is looking for a Tier II System Administrator to support the Executive. Office o... more
6 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer Location: NRAO Central Development Lab, 1180 Boxwood Estate Rd, CH... more
6 Days Ago
Communication Technology Services Inc
ALTAMONT, CA
Communication Technology Services Inc | ALTAMONT, CA
System Performance Engineer -Nor Cal Communication Technology Services (CTS) is one of the largest integrators and managed service providers for enterprise... more
8 Days Ago
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