Mechanical Engineer Salary

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Berwyn, IL: $102,208 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Berwyn, IL earns a median $102,208/year (≈ $49.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Berwyn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,261 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Illinois state average.

$102,208
Median Annual Salary
$49.13/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$68,616
Entry Level (P10)
$157,192
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Berwyn, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Berwyn, IL mechanical engineer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, mechanical engineers in Berwyn, Illinois are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,208, slightly below the national median of $107,150. This local opportunity features a salary range from $68,616 at the lower end to $157,192 at the top tier, reflecting the diverse roles and industries present in the region. As a city that historically supports HVAC and building systems, achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance one's earning potential. While the figures presented are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, the current job market reveals a modest growth trajectory of 2.92% annually, indicating a stable demand for skilled mechanical engineers.

About the Berwyn Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$68,616$32.99
Lower Range (P25)$84,943$40.84
Median (P50)(typical)$102,208$49.13
Upper Range (P75)$128,131$61.60
Top Earners (P90)$157,192$75.57

Median Salary Position

$68,616$157,192
City Median: $102,208
National: $107,150
P10–P90 Range

4.61% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berwyn

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for mechanical engineers in Berwyn. The median salary is $102,208, compared to the national median of $107,150.$61.8K$87.6K$113.4K$139.2K$165.1K$68.6K10th Pctl$84.9K25th Pctl$102.2KMedian$128.1K75th Pctl$157.2K90th PctlUS Median$107.2K

In Berwyn, IL, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,576 (2026 est.). At $102,208, the local median is 4.61% below the national median of $107,150.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of mechanical engineer pay in the Berwyn metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,965
per week
$8,517
per month
$102,199
per year

At 40 hours/week in Berwyn: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Berwyn Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares

Berwyn median: $102,208/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBerwyn Pays
Illinois Average$103,449-1.20% less
National Average$107,150-4.61% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing mechanical engineer median salary in Berwyn ($102,208) with Illinois average ($103,449) and the US national median ($107,150).Berwyn$102,208Illinois Avg$103,449-1.20%US National$107,150-4.61%

Mechanical Engineers in Berwyn, IL earn a median of $102,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.61% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $103,449.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$102,208
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$105,261
Adjusted Salary

Berwyn has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $102,208. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $105,261, a gain of $3,053.$86.9K$96.0K$105.0K$114.1K$123.2K$102,208NominalSalary$105,261CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1) 2.99%US Median $107.2K

Berwyn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $102,208 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,261 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$84,351

2025 BLS Actual

$99,308

2026 Current Est.

$102,208

2019–2027 Growth

+24.7%

Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Berwyn (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for mechanical engineers in Berwyn. Baseline $84,351 in 2025, projected to $105,192 by 2027.$80.2K$87.5K$94.8K$102.1K$109.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$84.4K$86.0K$90.9K$91.9K$94.9K$97.9K$99.3K$102.2K$105.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$84,351Actual
2020$86,001Actual
2021$90,904Actual
2022$91,868Actual
2023$94,920Actual
2024$97,867Actual
2025$99,308Actual
2026(current)$102,208Estimated
2027$105,192Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berwyn metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $84,351 (2019) to $99,308 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,841 (24.71%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berwyn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$68,616$84,943
3-5 years (Mid Career)$84,943$102,208
5+ years (Experienced)$102,208$128,131
10+ years (Top Earner)$128,131$157,192

ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Berwyn

Berwyn’s labor market shows that there are 12 mechanical engineers currently employed in the area, a relatively small number that suggests both competition and specialized opportunities. The local cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries might be slightly below national averages, the purchasing power remains appealing compared to more expensive regions. Major employers like Tesla and Rivian are expected to provide higher pay within the automotive sector, while aerospace firms such as Boeing or Lockheed Martin may also offer lucrative salaries, especially for engineers with security clearances. Understanding the influences on the salary spectrum, such as industry demand, the value of a PE license, and the choice between individual contributor roles and management tracks, can be crucial for maximizing mechanical engineer pay in Berwyn, IL. Pursuing roles in high-growth sectors, securing certifications, and considering equity compensation options in tech-adjacent companies may provide further financial advantages in a competitive job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do mechanical engineers make in Berwyn, IL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median mechanical engineer salary in Berwyn is $102,208/year ($49.13/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.92% annual growth). Salaries range from $68,616 at entry level (10th percentile) to $157,192 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Berwyn at 4.6% below the national median. Full-time mechanical engineers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Berwyn, IL a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?

Berwyn mechanical engineer salaries are 4.6% below the national average and 1.2% below the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 12 mechanical engineers. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Berwyn?

Yes — the median mechanical engineer salary in Berwyn is already $102,208, meaning more than half of mechanical engineers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $157,192/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Berwyn?

After adjusting for Berwyn's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $102,208 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $105,261 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Berwyn compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for mechanical engineers seeking strong real wages.

How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Berwyn?

Mechanical Engineers in Berwyn earn a median hourly rate of $49.13, which translates to approximately $102,208/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $32.99 for entry-level positions to $75.57 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem mechanical engineers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Illinois

AP

Written by Amina Patel, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Robinson, PhDData verified by Lina Zhang, MS

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,308 for mechanical engineersin the Berwyn metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Berwyn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

Last verified: