Aerospace Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $125,520 -6.9% vs national
Median hourly $60.35
10th percentile $81,400
90th percentile $195,750
Employed locally 200
National median $134,830

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Aerospace Engineers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $81,400
    25th
    $101,030
    50th (median)
    $125,520
    75th
    $175,940
    90th
    $195,750

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Aerospace Engineers salary vs area income 141% Median Aerospace Engineers salary is 41% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Aerospace Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $175,350
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $174,130
    Colorado Springs, CO $170,080
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $167,340
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $161,580
    Omaha, NE-IA $160,630

    Nearby metros — Aerospace Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $145,860
    Huntsville, AL $139,110
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $134,190
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $130,720
    Amarillo, TX $130,010
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $128,400

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$100,940
    Civil Engineers$100,280
    Mechanical Engineers$100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$79,240
    Electrical Engineers$109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Aerospace Engineers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Aerospace Engineers in Chicago, IL-IN is $60.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $92.21 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Aerospace Engineers salaries?

    The median Aerospace Engineers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 6.9% below the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Aerospace Engineers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Aerospace Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $81,400 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $101,030.