Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Illinois | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $132,110 | $142,991 | -8% |
| Median hourly wage | $63.51 | $68.75 | -8% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $132,110.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $138,884 | $99,750 | $183,750 | 107 |
The median annual salary for a Software Engineer in Illinois is $132,110, or about $63.51 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Software Engineers is $142,991. Illinois is -8% below the national median.
Entry-level software engineers in Illinois typically earn from $99,750 depending on the city and employer.
With 56,310 software engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $132,110, Illinois offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.