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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior IT Engineer in Illinois is $81,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Junior IT Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Junior IT Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $87,646 | $7,304 | $1,686 | $42 |
| Average | $81,900 | $6,825 | $1,575 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,751 | $6,313 | $1,457 | $36 |
Manila Recruitment - Chicago, IL
Ascend Technologies - Chicago, IL
Simplex - Hoffman Estates, IL
Impact Networking - Bolingbrook, IL
A Junior IT 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 Junior IT 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 |
|---|---|
| Junior IT... Level Junior IT Engineer | $81,478 |
| Engineer ... Level Junior IT Engineer | $94,225 |
| Engineer ... Level Junior IT Engineer | $113,262 |
| Engineer ... Level Junior IT Engineer | $143,363 |
| Engineer ... Level Junior IT Engineer | $165,522 |
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 Junior IT 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 Junior IT Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Junior IT Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior IT Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $102,375 | $49.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $98,280 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $94,185 | $45.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $94,185 | $45.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $90,090 | $43.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Junior IT 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 | $87,646 | $7,304 | $1,686 | $42 |
| Average | $81,900 | $6,825 | $1,575 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,751 | $6,313 | $1,457 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Junior IT Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SuperLogix, Inc.
Chicago, IL
SuperLogix, Inc. | Chicago, IL
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Impact Networking
Mettawa, IL
Impact Networking | Mettawa, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Built on service. Powered by people. Impact exists because a small group of industry leaders believed companies in our sp... more
4 Days Ago
Enterprise Performance Group
Chicago, IL
Enterprise Performance Group | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Sr. IT Datacenter Engineer -- Location : Chicago O’Hare area. . The Sr. IT Datacenter Engineer responsibilities will incl... more
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Braven
Chicago, IL
Braven | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. IT Systems Engineer. Team. Information Technology. Location. Hybrid in New York (NYC), preferably or Chicago (... more
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The Rockridge Group
Chicago, IL
The Rockridge Group | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Title: IT Software Engineer – Equities Cash –OMS Dev. Location. . Chicago, Illinois. Type. . Full time. Are you passionat... more
1 Day Ago
Leapfrog Technology Group
Villa Park, IL
Leapfrog Technology Group | Villa Park, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Join a team where your ideas matter, your expertise is valued, and your growth is limitless. If you're passionate about t... more
3 Days Ago
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