Assistant Principal Engineer Salary in Illinois

How much does an Assistant Principal Engineer make in Illinois? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Principal Engineer in Illinois is $78,489 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, an Assistant Principal Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,686
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,173 to $84,873
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,334

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Principal Engineer Salaries

An Assistant Principal Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Principal Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Principal Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,158
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,939
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,108
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $128,972
  • Expert (over 8 years): $154,030
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Assistant Principal Engineer less than 1 year $77,158
Civil Engineer II 1-2 years $93,939
Civil Engineer III 2-4 years $110,108
Civil Engineer IV 5-8 years $128,972
Civil Engineer V over 8 years $154,030

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Principal Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $72,351
  • Saint Peter: $72,251
  • Salem: $72,526

Assistant Principal Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Principal Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Principal Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Principal Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Principal Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $102,035 $49.0 30%
Insurance $98,111 $47.0 25%
Biotechnology $94,186 $45.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $94,186 $45.0 20%
Software & Networking $90,262 $43.0 15%

Assistant Principal Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Principal Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$73,173
Average $78,489/year
$84,873
$6,098
Average $6,541/month
$7,073
$1,407
Average $1,509/week
$1,632
$35
Average $38/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $84,873 $7,073 $1,632 $41
Average $78,489 $6,541 $1,509 $38
25th Percentile $73,173 $6,098 $1,407 $35

Find Your Next Assistant Principal Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Principal Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • LUDEX, LLC | Chicago, IL

    LUDEX, LLC | Chicago, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Principal Backend Engineer | Architect. Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid – 1 day/week in-office). Company: Ludex, Inc. About... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Full Spectrum | Lincolnshire, IL

    Full Spectrum | Lincolnshire, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Full Spectrum partners with leading companies in MedTech to develop cutting-edge software for medical devices. With proje... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Sterling Engineering Inc. | Buffalo Grove, IL

    Sterling Engineering Inc. | Buffalo Grove, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Principal Tooling Engineer. – Injection Molding. Location. Libertyville, IL. (Relocation assistance packages offered for ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Wabtec | Chicago, IL

    Wabtec | Chicago, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Summary. The Integrated Solutions organization within Digital Intelligence (DI) is responsible for ensur... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Kraft Heinz | Glenview, Illinois, IL

    Kraft Heinz | Glenview, Illinois, IL

    This job is with Kraft Heinz, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not ... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Capital One Bank | Chicago, IL

    Capital One Bank | Chicago, IL

    Principal Software Engineer - Capital One Software (Remote)Ever since our first credit card customer in 1994, Capital One has recognized that technology an... more

    9 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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