Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $65,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Des Plaines, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,761 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Plaines's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,725 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,311) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of starting civil engineer salaries in Des Plaines, the landscape for new graduates shows promising potential for growth. Entry-level positions in this market offer a salary starting at $65,761, establishing a foundation that can lead to higher earnings as experience accumulates. For comparison, the median salary for civil engineers in the area is projected to reach $96,311 in 2026, indicating that new graduates can expect their pay to increase significantly within the first few years on the job. By progressing through the salary range to the 25th percentile at $73,950, entry-level civil engineers can set realistic expectations for their early career stages. With the growing demand for engineering expertise fueled by increased infrastructure spending, Des Plaines represents a solid opportunity for fresh graduates eager to begin their professional journey.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines
Entry-level civil engineers in Des Plaines, IL typically start between $65,761 and $73,950 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $83,522 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,311 — 6.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Illinois of $78,000 represents just 118.61% of the starting civil engineer pay ($65,761/year) in Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines
- 1Research the Des Plaines market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $65,761 to $73,950, 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 Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Plaines'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 Des Plaines is $83,522 ( 127.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,761, experienced hygienists can earn up to $149,283.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,001
2025 BLS Actual
$64,076
2026 Current Est.
$65,761
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,491 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Des Plaines, IL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,001 in 2019 to $64,076 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,491. New graduates entering the Des Plaines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
For new civil engineering graduates in Des Plaines, several key employers actively recruit entry-level talent, providing valuable opportunities in diverse work environments. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are particularly appealing for new hires due to their structured training pipelines for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) candidates aiming for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Government agencies like the Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer career paths that include retirement benefits, appealing to many new grads. Additionally, construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor focus on field-engineering roles, while smaller local firms present chances for expedited project ownership, albeit with less formal training. Enhancing credentials through obtaining the FE exam during senior studies greatly improves entry-level pay in IL. With a solid educational background and appropriate certifications, including the PE license, entry-level engineers can anticipate growth prospects, especially as demand for civil engineering professionals continues to rise, influenced by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Early-career engineers can realistically expect incrementally improved salaries within their first few years, positioning themselves favorably in a competitive field.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines 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