Mechanical Engineer Salary in Mount Prospect, IL: $103,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Mount Prospect, IL earns a median $103,387/year (≈ $49.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Mount Prospect's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $106,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Prospect, Illinois, mechanical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $103,387 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $107,150. The salary spectrum for these professionals ranges from $71,312 at the 10th percentile to $160,251 at the 90th percentile. Given the local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, the compensation landscape appears competitive for the area. Holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, particularly for roles in HVAC and building systems, can provide significant advantages, adding a premium to earnings and improving job prospects. With a focused market for mechanical engineers in Mount Prospect, pursuing licensure could be a valuable step in maximizing future salary potential.
About the Mount Prospect Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,312 | $34.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,149 | $39.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,387 | $49.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,198 | $63.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,251 | $77.05 |
Median Salary Position
3.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Prospect
In Mount Prospect, IL, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,939 (2026 est.). At $103,387, the local median is 3.51% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Prospect: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Prospect Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Mount Prospect median: $103,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Prospect Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $107,150 | -3.51% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Mount Prospect, IL earn a median of $103,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $107,150.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Prospect 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.
Mount Prospect, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $103,387 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,475 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,325
2025 BLS Actual
$100,454
2026 Current Est.
$103,387
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Mount Prospect (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,994 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Prospect metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $85,325 (2019) to $100,454 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,081 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Prospect 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) | $71,312 – $81,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,149 – $103,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,387 – $131,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,198 – $160,251 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Mount Prospect
Currently, only 13 mechanical engineers are employed in Mount Prospect, indicating a tight job market. The cost of living index, sitting at 97.1, suggests that day-to-day expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national trends. Companies in the region vary significantly in pay scales; particularly lucrative opportunities may arise in aerospace and defense, with firms like Boeing and Lockheed Martin often paying higher wages, while automotive giants such as GM and Ford remain competitive. The disparities in compensation can often be tied to industry demands, with positions in high-stakes fields like aerospace offering salary premiums, and roles requiring security clearance commanding additional financial rewards. For mechanical engineers in Mount Prospect, advancing to a PE license, targeting high-demand sectors, and considering management roles can be effective strategies for enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Mount Prospect, 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 $100,454 for mechanical engineersin the Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect 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