SOC 49-3042 · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines Salary in Chicago, IL

The average salary for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in Chicago, Illinois is $71,830 a year ($34.53 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $74,090: half of the 2,570 people in this job in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 4% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,240).

$71,830average per year

$34.53 / hourMedian $74,090Take-home ≈ $55,948

  • $46K10th
  • $58K25th
  • $74KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $105K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

2,570people in this job
+4%vs U.S. average
#3 of 5Illinois metros
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines pay range in Chicago

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,860 a year or less, while the top 10% make $104,570 or more. The middle half of mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in Chicago earn between $58,140 and $83,520.

  • $46K10th
  • $58K25th
  • $74KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $105K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$71,830$5,986$34.53
Median$74,090$6,174$35.62
Entry level (25th percentile)$58,140$4,845$27.95
Experienced (75th percentile)$83,520$6,960$40.15

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) in Chicago earn 3% more than the Illinois average ($69,510) and 4% more than the U.S. average ($69,240). At the median the gap is +13% against the U.S. median of $65,510.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Chicago$71,830$74,090$45,860$104,5702,570
Illinois$69,510$71,370$42,990$94,2903,470
United States$69,240$65,510$46,820$94,460176,600

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary after taxes in Chicago

On the average salary of $71,830, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $55,948 a year, or $4,662 a month and $2,152 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in IN$57,238$4,770
Working in IL$55,948$4,662

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).

Illinois paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Chicago a good place for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $71,830 buys what about $69,337 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 4.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $71,830 is worth in another city

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary in other Illinois cities

Chicago ranks 3rd of 5 Illinois metro areas for this job; Springfield pays the most ($76,230).

All Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salaries in Illinois

Highest-paying cities for mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines)

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($96,370).

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary by city

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Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines salary in Chicago: questions

How much do mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) make an hour in Chicago?

$34.53 an hour on average, and $35.62 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) salary in Chicago?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,860 a year and the 25th percentile is $58,140, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) take-home pay in Chicago?

About $55,948 a year ($4,662 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,830.

Do mobile heavy equipment mechanics (except engines) earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?

The average here is 4% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,240).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 49-3042; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.50, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.50).

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