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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Hardware Engineer in Illinois is $142,828 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Lead Hardware Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Hardware Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $150,256 | $12,521 | $2,890 | $72 |
| Average | $142,828 | $11,902 | $2,747 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,256 | $11,188 | $2,582 | $65 |
Q - Center - Saint Charles, IL
Distinctive Schools - Chicago, IL
HR Green - McHenry, IL
Farmer's Fridge Careers - Chicago, IL
A Lead Hardware 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 Lead Hardware 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 |
|---|---|
| Hardware ... Level Lead Hardware Engineer | $101,033 |
| Hardware ... Level Lead Hardware Engineer | $117,150 |
| Lead Hard... Level Lead Hardware Engineer | $142,282 |
| Hardware ... Level Lead Hardware Engineer | $167,957 |
| Hardware ... Level Lead Hardware Engineer | $200,729 |
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 Lead Hardware 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 Lead Hardware Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Lead Hardware Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Hardware Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $168,538 | $81.0 | 18% |
| Financial Services | $168,538 | $81.0 | 18% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $168,538 | $81.0 | 18% |
| Software & Networking | $168,538 | $81.0 | 18% |
| Internet | $162,824 | $78.0 | 14% |
Understanding how a Lead Hardware 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 | $150,256 | $12,521 | $2,890 | $72 |
| Average | $142,828 | $11,902 | $2,747 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,256 | $11,188 | $2,582 | $65 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Hardware Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Alliant Credit Union
Chicago, IL
Alliant Credit Union | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Provides continuous build-up and operationalization of an enterprise-class modern data environment, which may include var... more
6 Days Ago
Eliassen Group
Chicago, IL
Eliassen Group | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Hybrid At least 2 days per week in office in Chicago, IL. . Our client seeks a Lead Software Engineer to dri... more
7 Days Ago
Fehr Graham
Aurora, IL
Fehr Graham | Aurora, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Are you a forward thinker with a passion for designing bridges. Fehr Graham is a fast-growing Midwest engine... more
7 Days Ago
Advastar, Inc. | Recruiting & Staffing
Sycamore, IL
Advastar, Inc. | Recruiting & Staffing | Sycamore, IL
A long-established industrial manufacturer with multiple U.S. production facilities is hiring a Manufacturing Engineering Lead to run day-to-day technical ... more
8 Days Ago
BISCO, Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
BISCO, Inc. | Schaumburg, IL
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a Lead Production Engineer to support our manufacturing operations by managing production equipment, ensur... more
9 Days Ago
The HT Group
Elgin, IL
The HT Group | Elgin, IL
A leading tech company seeks a Lead React / JavaScript Engineer who excels in transforming designs into high-performance applications.The ideal candidate h... more
10 Days Ago
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