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Hourly Engineering Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

CNC Programmer

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$27 - $30/hr

At WALCO Tool & Engineering, we specialize in high-precision manufacturing and believe great ... Competitive hourly pay with opportunities for overtimeFull benefits package: Medical, Dental ...

At WALCO Tool & Engineering, we specialize in high-precision manufacturing and believe great ... Competitive hourly pay with opportunities for overtime * Full benefits package: Medical, Dental ...

CNC Programmer

Romeoville, IL ยท On-site

$27 - $30/hr

At WALCO Tool & Engineering, we specialize in high-precision manufacturing and believe great ... Competitive hourly pay with opportunities for overtime * Full benefits package: Medical, Dental ...

Director-Engineering

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$170K - $200K/yr

Director (Engineering) Location: Remote Hire Type: Direct Compensation: $170,000 - $200,000 Must have Skill Set: Professional Engineer (PE) license, experience with natural gas pipeline and facility ...

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Showing results 1-20

Hourly Engineering information

See Illinois salary details

$31.5K

$61K

$92.5K

How much do hourly engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for hourly engineering in Illinois is $61,026.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $69,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is hourly engineering?

Hourly engineering refers to engineers who are compensated based on the number of hours they work, rather than receiving a fixed annual salary. These engineers often work as contractors or consultants, providing specialized skills for specific projects or tasks. Hourly engineering roles can be found in various fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. This arrangement offers flexibility for both employers and engineers, allowing companies to scale expertise as needed and engineers to manage their own schedules.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an hourly engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Hourly Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and often an associate degree or relevant technical certification. Familiarity with CAD software, diagnostic tools, and industry-specific machinery is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication skills are crucial for success in this role. These competencies ensure accurate technical work, smooth collaboration with teams, and safe, efficient project completion.

What are some common challenges faced by hourly engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Hourly engineers often encounter challenges such as adjusting to rapidly changing project priorities, managing time efficiently across multiple tasks, and ensuring clear communication with full-time team members. Proactively seeking clarification on project expectations, keeping detailed records of work hours and progress, and participating in regular team meetings can help address these challenges. Building strong relationships with supervisors and colleagues also fosters a supportive work environment and can lead to more opportunities for skill development and project involvement.

What is the difference between Hourly Engineering vs Hourly Engineering?

AspectHourly EngineeringHourly Engineering
CredentialsTypically requires engineering certifications or licensesSame as Hourly Engineering
Work EnvironmentOn-site or project-based settings in engineering fieldsSame as Hourly Engineering
Industry UsageCommonly used in construction, manufacturing, and consultingSame as Hourly Engineering
Search IntentPeople compare hourly engineering rates or rolesSame as Hourly Engineering

Since the comparison is between the same job title, Hourly Engineering, the key differences often relate to specific project types or industries rather than role distinctions. Understanding the context of hourly rates and project scope helps clarify job expectations and compensation.

Can hourly engineering employees be engineers?

Hourly engineering employees can be licensed professional engineers if they meet the required education, experience, and exam standards. However, many engineering roles are salaried and require a professional engineering license, while some technical or support roles may be paid hourly without licensure. The specific classification depends on the job responsibilities and employer policies.

What do hourly engineers get paid an hour?

Hourly engineers typically earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on their experience, specialization, and geographic location. Entry-level positions may pay closer to the lower end, while experienced engineers or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. Overtime pay may also apply for hours worked beyond standard schedules.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Hourly Engineering jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Hourly Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Hourly Engineering job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,026 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Quality Engineering Technician

RFA Engineering

Chillicothe, IL โ€ข On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an entry level to experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facilities.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Quality Engineering Technician
The selected candidate will research and test the design, functionality and maintenance of products, equipment, systems and processes and develop quality standards. A typical quality engineer has the ability to read and interpret blueprints, and evaluate product integrity and standards.
Responsibilities
  • Devises sampling procedures and designs and develops forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
  • Establishes program to evaluate precision and accuracy of production equipment and testing, measurement, and analytical equipment and facilities.
  • May write training material and conduct training sessions on quality control activities.
  • May specialize in areas of quality control engineering, such as design, incoming material, process control, product evaluation, product reliability, inventory control, metrology, automated testing, software, research and development, and administrative application.
  • Travel to supplier or customer sites pending project needs (up to ~10%).

Requirements
  • Bachelor's or Associates in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication both written and verbal.
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and commitments.
  • Ability to thrive in a team environment.
  • Ability to travel (less than 10% of time).

Desired Attributes
  • Experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning).
  • Experience with FMEA, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes.
  • Experience with validation, testing, reliability, or quality engineering activities.
  • Experience with data collection and test data analysis.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing operations and production environments.
  • Experience with quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Exposure to engines, powertrain systems, off-road equipment, heavy machinery, or industrial products.
  • Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
  • Desire to work in an engineering environment focused on product quality, reliability, and performance.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $55,000-$65,000 - Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Health Savings Account
  • TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
  • Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Supplemental Short-Term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.