As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for data engineer entry level in Illinois is $87,473, equivalent to $42 per hour, $1,682 weekly, or $7,289 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 Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for data engineer entry level in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $74,529 to $99,027. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($80,698) and 75th percentile ($93,521), while top earners (90th percentile) make $99,027 per year. This $12,823 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, Illinois data engineer entry level often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 31 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for data engineer entry level job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
