Salary guide, May 2025
Controls Engineer pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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The median annual wage for Electrical Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $113,520 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $92,320 and $134,330.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is $7,110 below the national median of $120,630, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
What should you know about chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $76,660 | $92,320 | $113,520 | $134,330 | $165,890 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36.85 | $44.39 | $54.58 | $64.58 | $79.75 |
BLS estimated 4,290 workers employed in this occupation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Location quotient: 0.74.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $76,550 | $92,830 | $120,630 | $152,950 | $184,300 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36.80 | $44.63 | $58.00 | $73.53 | $88.61 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Controls Engineer median is $113,520. The all-occupations median in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $54,720. Ratio: 2.07 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.74 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $87,510 | $109,010 | $139,880 |
| May 2025 | $92,320 | $113,520 | $134,330 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Niles, MI | $104,310 | $83,040 to $128,820 |
| Kenosha, WI | $101,690 | $78,430 to $121,330 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
Manufacturing Headhunters analyzes the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area for SOC 17-2071 electrical engineering roles, identifying a median annual salary of $113,520. 74, showing an employment concentration below the national average. The data indicates a medianChange of 4510 from May 2024 to May 2025.
These figures apply to the broader electrical engineering category, as the BLS does not provide specialized manufacturing data for controls engineers.
The middle-band width for Chicago is $42,010, calculated from a P25 of $92,320 and a P75 of $134,330. This is narrower than the national middle-band width of $60,120. The local P75 of $134,330 remains lower than the national P75 of $152,950. Nationally, industries such as Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing report a median of $141,160, while Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing records $137,540.
Comparative metro data shows the Niles, MI area with a median of $104,310 and a middle-band width of $45,780. The Kenosha, WI area records a median of $101,690 with a middle-band width of $42,900. It is crucial to remember that these BLS statistics exclude essential manufacturing pay components like specialized certification premiums or shift differentials. Candidates typically manage PLC and HMI/SCADA environments, including modular PLCs or SCADA integration software platforms, to meet the needs of integrators and production facilities.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does the Chicago median salary compare to the national figure?
This indicates lower base compensation for the broader engineering category in the Chicago metro area.
What is the importance of the narrow middle-band width in Chicago?
The middle-band width of $42,010 is narrower than the national figure of $60,120. This suggests there is less variation in pay for the middle 50% of engineers compared to the national average.
Does the BLS data account for manufacturing-specific site requirements?
No, the BLS figures are for the general electrical engineering occupation. These do not account for individual manufacturing requirements like PLC expertise or shift pay premiums.
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