State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: District of Columbia vs Illinois
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300. In Illinois, $102,680. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18.1% — not 29.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+29.8%
District of Columbia vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+18.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $133,300
- p25
- $107,300
- p75
- $166,360
- p10
- $86,820
- p90
- $195,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -40%
Illinois
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $102,680
- p25
- $83,800
- p75
- $130,730
- p10
- $72,150
- p90
- $160,160
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -51%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.