Materials Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $97,760 -9.7% vs national
Median hourly $47.00
10th percentile $63,080
90th percentile $167,500
Employed locally 180
National median $108,310

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Materials Engineers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,080
    25th
    $63,370
    50th (median)
    $97,760
    75th
    $134,300
    90th
    $167,500

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 110% Median Materials Engineers salary is 10% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $151,260
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $147,080
    Boulder, CO $141,320
    Washington $140,810
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $140,810
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $140,180

    Nearby metros — Materials Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $135,500
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $127,140
    Knoxville, TN $121,390
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $119,020
    Huntsville, AL $118,270
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $117,980

    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 Materials Engineers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Chicago, IL-IN is $47.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.00 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 9.7% below the national median of $108,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $63,080 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,370.