Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Romeoville, IL: $68,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Romeoville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,732 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Romeoville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,785 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,355) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Romeoville, Illinois, can expect an entry-level civil engineer salary that starts at around $68,732. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city median of $95,355, it reflects a realistic entry point for fresh graduates penetrating the job market. Over the first three to five years, early-career professionals typically see gradual increases in salary as they gain experience and skills, moving from the P10 benchmark toward the median. Overall, Romeoville currently presents a viable market for emerging engineers, especially given the city's growth trajectory in infrastructure spending influenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Romeoville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Romeoville
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 Romeoville
Entry-level civil engineers in Romeoville, IL typically start between $68,732 and $77,648 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,068 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,355 — 7.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Illinois of $78,000 represents just 113.48% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,732/year) in Romeoville. 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 Romeoville
- 1Research the Romeoville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,732 to $77,648, 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 Romeoville, 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 Romeoville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Romeoville'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 Romeoville is $79,068 ( 115.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,732, experienced hygienists can earn up to $147,800.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,350
2025 BLS Actual
$66,971
2026 Current Est.
$68,732
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Romeoville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,116 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,905 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,044 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,540 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Romeoville, IL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,350 in 2019 to $66,971 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,540. New graduates entering the Romeoville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville 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 Romeoville
In Romeoville, several employers actively recruit new civil engineer graduates to fuel their projects and teams. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are particularly attractive, offering structured training and mentorship programs that pave the way toward licensure as Professional Engineers (PE). Meanwhile, construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor provide opportunities in field-engineering roles for entry-level candidates. For new professionals, obtaining credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation during their senior year can significantly enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Romeoville by creating a pathway toward the PE license. It's also essential to consider ongoing education and taking on additional certifications, such as LEED or ENV SP, as they increase marketability and potential income. Given the infrastructure investments underway and the resulting demand for skilled engineers, realistic salary growth can be anticipated within the first few years, positioning new graduates for successful advancement in a competitive environment.
More salary data for Romeoville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Romeoville in 2026?
How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Romeoville?
Is civil engineering school worth it in Romeoville?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Romeoville?
How do I become a civil engineer in Illinois?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Romeoville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Romeoville 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