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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Engineer in Illinois is $80,875 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, an Aircraft Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Aircraft Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $86,545 | $7,212 | $1,664 | $42 |
| Average | $80,875 | $6,740 | $1,555 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,804 | $6,234 | $1,439 | $36 |
TSMG - Chicago, IL
General Dynamics - Victoria, IL
Shield AI - Mundelein, IL
L3Harris Technologies - COMMERCE, TX
An Aircraft 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 an Aircraft 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 |
|---|---|
| Aircraft ... Level Aircraft Engineer | $80,458 |
| Aerospace... Level Aircraft Engineer | $96,610 |
| Aerospace... Level Aircraft Engineer | $111,848 |
| Aerospace... Level Aircraft Engineer | $141,557 |
| Aerospace... Level Aircraft Engineer | $163,446 |
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 Aircraft 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 Aircraft Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Aircraft Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Aircraft Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $105,137 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $97,049 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $88,962 | $43.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $84,918 | $41.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Aircraft 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 | $86,545 | $7,212 | $1,664 | $42 |
| Average | $80,875 | $6,740 | $1,555 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,804 | $6,234 | $1,439 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aircraft Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
L3Harris Technologies
FARMERSVILLE, TX
L3Harris Technologies | FARMERSVILLE, TX
The Sr. Associate, Electrical Engineer (EE) will be responsible for developing instrumentation systems for component tests, system integration lab tests, a... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
CADDO MILLS, TX
L3Harris Technologies | CADDO MILLS, TX
The Sr. Associate, Electrical Engineer (EE) will be responsible for developing instrumentation systems for component tests, system integration lab tests, a... more
8 Days Ago
Med-Trans Corporation
ALAMEDA, NM
Med-Trans Corporation | ALAMEDA, NM
Med-Trans Corporation, a leader in air medical transport, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to join our Engineering and Maintenance team. In th... more
6 Days Ago
Med-Trans Corporation
EDGEWOOD, NM
Med-Trans Corporation | EDGEWOOD, NM
Med-Trans Corporation, a leader in air medical transport, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to join our Engineering and Maintenance team. In th... more
6 Days Ago
Med-Trans Corporation
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Med-Trans Corporation | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Med-Trans Corporation, a leader in air medical transport, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to join our Engineering and Maintenance team. In th... more
6 Days Ago
Med-Trans Corporation
SENATOR CLARKE FIELD, NM
Med-Trans Corporation | SENATOR CLARKE FIELD, NM
Med-Trans Corporation, a leader in air medical transport, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to join our Engineering and Maintenance team. In th... more
6 Days Ago
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