Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Collinsville, IL: $65,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Collinsville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,618 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collinsville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,578 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,418) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Collinsville presents a viable entry point for new civil engineering graduates in 2026, with the starting civil engineer salary projected at $65,618. This figure sits significantly below the city's median annual salary of $97,418, indicating that early-career professionals will need to build experience to reach this higher pay range. However, the trajectory for growth is promising; entry-level engineers can realistically expect to progress to $75,930 within a few years, potentially bridging the gap toward the median as they accumulate experience and responsibilities. Given that the cost of living index in Collinsville is below the national average at 97.1, the local market offers a balanced environment for new graduates to begin their careers without the financial pressures of larger metropolises.
About the Collinsville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collinsville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collinsville
Entry-level civil engineers in Collinsville, IL typically start between $65,618 and $75,930 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,380 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,418 — 5.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Illinois of $78,000 represents just 118.87% of the starting civil engineer pay ($65,618/year) in Collinsville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Collinsville
- 1Research the Collinsville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $65,618 to $75,930, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collinsville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Collinsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collinsville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Collinsville is $85,380 ( 130.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,618, experienced hygienists can earn up to $150,998.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,887
2025 BLS Actual
$63,936
2026 Current Est.
$65,618
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Collinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,887 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,618 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,731 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,757 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,936 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,343 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Collinsville, IL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,887 in 2019 to $63,936 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,343. New graduates entering the Collinsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collinsville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Collinsville
A variety of firms in the Collinsville area actively recruit new graduates in civil engineering, providing distinct paths for early-career professionals. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP typically hire entry-level engineers through structured training programs that prepare them for professional licensure, including the PE exam needed for upper-level positions. State and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer stable career tracks with solid benefits, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor focus on field engineering roles that may provide quicker hands-on project involvement. To maximize starting pay in Illinois, new graduates should complete their ABET-accredited degree, sit for the FE exam, and aim to secure the EIT designation. The influx of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to sustain demand in the field, creating opportunities for upward mobility. Over the initial few years, salary growth in this sector could be reasonable as engineers work towards licensure and take on more significant roles, with contributions from industry associations like NSPE aiding in professional development.
More salary data for Collinsville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Collinsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collinsville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov