Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Lombard, IL: $63,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Lombard, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,554 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lombard's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,452 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,530) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the civil engineering field in Lombard, IL can expect an entry-level civil engineer salary around $63,554. This starting figure is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary for civil engineers, which is $96,530, reflecting a typical gap that new professionals face when beginning their careers. However, there is a structured growth trajectory for entry-level engineers in their first few years: they can realistically expect to move from the P10 mark of $63,554 to the P25 level of $80,035 as they gain experience and skills, eventually aiming for the median over approximately three to five years. With ongoing infrastructure spending due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Lombard currently presents a favorable job market for new graduates looking to establish their careers in civil engineering.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lombard
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 Lombard
Entry-level civil engineers in Lombard, IL typically start between $63,554 and $80,035 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $86,067 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,530 — 6.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Illinois of $78,000 represents just 122.73% of the starting civil engineer pay ($63,554/year) in Lombard. 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 Lombard
- 1Research the Lombard market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $63,554 to $80,035, 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 Lombard, 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 Lombard for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lombard'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 Lombard is $86,067 ( 135.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,554, experienced hygienists can earn up to $149,621.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,255
2025 BLS Actual
$61,925
2026 Current Est.
$63,554
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,255 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,947 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,719 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,225 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Lombard, IL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,255 in 2019 to $61,925 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,225. New graduates entering the Lombard job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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 Lombard
For those seeking opportunities in Lombard, various employers actively recruit new graduates into civil engineering roles. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn are key players that bring in entry-level engineers, offering robust training programs and pathways toward professional licensure. Government agencies like state DOTs and federal organizations (e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) also hire new engineers, providing stability through structured career tracks and benefits such as pensions. For new graduates, obtaining credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during their senior year can significantly enhance their starting pay and career prospects. Targeting specific employers while continuing education towards the Professional Engineer (PE) license will open more advanced career opportunities, especially as a PE credential is vital for senior roles and project management. Given the competitive environment in Lombard, aspiring engineers should set realistic salary growth expectations, aiming for commensurate pay increases as they progress through the first few years of their careers, fueled by demand in the construction and engineering sectors.
More salary data for Lombard, 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 Lombard. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lombard 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