Fred E. Sterling (June 29, 1869 – February 10, 1934) was an American newspaper editor and politician.
Born in Dixon, Illinois, Sterling moved with his family to Huron, South Dakota. Sterling was a newspaper editor in Rockford, Illinois and started the Rockford Register-Gazette. Sterling was involved with the Republican Party. He served on the Rockford City Council. In 1917, Sterling was appointed to the Illinois Public Utilities Commission and then in 1919 was elected Illinois State Treasurer. He then served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois from 1921 until 1933. He died in Rockford, Illinois due to a heart ailment and high blood pressure.