As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Drafting Engineer in Illinois is $62,584, equivalent to $30 per hour, $1,204 weekly, or $5,215 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Drafting Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Drafting Engineer in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $53,399 to $74,884. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($57,777) and 75th percentile ($69,022), while top earners (90th percentile) make $74,884 per year. This $11,245 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Installation, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Drafting Engineer often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 62 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Drafting Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
