As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for data engineer entry level in Chicago, IL is $88,669, equivalent to $43 per hour, $1,705 weekly, or $7,389 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for data engineer entry level in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for data engineer entry level in Chicago, IL vary widely, spanning from $75,569 to $100,438. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($81,812) and 75th percentile ($94,829), while top earners (90th percentile) make $100,438 per year. This $13,017 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Carpentry, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Chicago data engineer entry level often earn 1.4% higher than national averages. However, Chicago currently ranks 249 statewide for data engineer entry level job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
