As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in Illinois is $301,750, equivalent to $145 per hour, $5,803 weekly, or $25,146 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $246,934 to $337,471. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($273,057) and 75th percentile ($320,448), while top earners (90th percentile) make $337,471 per year. This $47,391 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Chief Engineer often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Chief Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
