Mechanical Engineer Salary in Joliet, IL: $102,768 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Joliet, IL earns a median $102,768/year (≈ $49.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, mechanical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $102,768 in 2026. This figure reveals a notable local market characterized by a salary range spanning from $73,377 at the 10th percentile to $159,290 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data project that Joliet's mechanical engineer compensation is approximately 4.09% lower than the national median of $107,150, influenced by a more moderate cost of living index at 97.1. The landscape of local employment is shaped by significant players in both the aerospace and automotive sectors, particularly companies like SpaceX and Tesla that drive the demand for engineering talent.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,377 | $35.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,808 | $39.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,768 | $49.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,543 | $63.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,290 | $76.58 |
Median Salary Position
4.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,913 (2026 est.). At $102,768, the local median is 4.09% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $102,768/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,388 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -4.09% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $102,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.09% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,388.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $102,768 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,837 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,813
2025 BLS Actual
$99,852
2026 Current Est.
$102,768
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,813 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,371 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,768 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $84,813 (2019) to $99,852 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,955 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,377 – $82,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,808 – $102,768 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,768 – $131,543 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,543 – $159,290 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Joliet
The job market for mechanical engineers in Joliet is relatively modest, with only 25 professionals employed in this field, a factor that contributes to the competitive salary range. Despite this, the cost of living allows for greater purchasing power with the median salary, which can be further maximized through strategic employment choices. Sectors such as aerospace and electric vehicles dominate high-paying opportunities, with companies like Boeing and Rivian likely to provide salaries well above the lower salary percentiles. The disparity in pay results from varying factors such as industry demand, the potential for secured positions requiring clearances, and the different compensation structures employed by tech-focused firms versus those in traditional manufacturing. To enhance salary prospects, individuals may consider pursuing a PE license, which can open doors to higher-level management positions and specialized HVAC roles, both of which are in demand within Joliet's evolving market.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $99,852 for mechanical engineersin the Joliet 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 Joliet is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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