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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Controls Design Engineer in Illinois is $79,459 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Controls Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Controls Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $84,448 | $7,037 | $1,624 | $41 |
| Average | $79,459 | $6,622 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,653 | $6,304 | $1,455 | $36 |
Zobility - Bolingbrook, IL
Advanced Technology Services - Pontiac, IL
APEX INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION LLC - Bensenville, IL
AmTab Manufacturing Corporation - Bensenville, IL
A Controls Design 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 a Controls Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Controls ... Level Controls Design Engineer | $79,093 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $89,717 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $112,152 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $136,940 |
| Product D... Level Controls Design Engineer | $160,423 |
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 Controls Design 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 Controls Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Controls Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Controls Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $91,378 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $88,994 | $43.0 | 12% |
| Biotechnology | $87,405 | $42.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $85,816 | $41.0 | 8% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $83,432 | $40.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Controls Design 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 | $84,448 | $7,037 | $1,624 | $41 |
| Average | $79,459 | $6,622 | $1,528 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,653 | $6,304 | $1,455 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Controls Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Vactor Manufacturing
Streator, IL
Vactor Manufacturing | Streator, IL
Job Description. Job Description. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. Coordinate the development of layouts and design and/or modification in existing products, and info... more
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Peralte-Clark,LLC
Chicago, IL
Peralte-Clark,LLC | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Peralte-Clark is hiring a Design Engineer - Level 1. Join a team that combines entrepreneurial thinking with a shared vi... more
5 Days Ago
Hennig
Machesney Park, IL
Hennig | Machesney Park, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Create and maintain engineering drawings, bill of materials, routings and manufacturing programs. Process EC... more
5 Days Ago
Messina Talent Advisors
Chicago, IL
Messina Talent Advisors | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Seeking to hire a Design Engineer for a client in Chicago, IL 60646. Our client is a leading manufacturer of power burner... more
5 Days Ago
OPTO International
Wood Dale, IL
OPTO International | Wood Dale, IL
Job Description. Job Description. About OPTO. OPTO designs and manufactures retail fixtures for domestic and international markets. We are a design-led com... more
5 Days Ago
SWE Solutions
Chicago, IL
SWE Solutions | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a motivated. Civil Design Engineer I. to join our team and contribute to the successful plann... more
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