Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Schaumburg, IL: $69,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Schaumburg, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,117 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Schaumburg's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,181 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,834) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Schaumburg, IL can anticipate an entry-level civil engineer salary of around $69,117 in 2026. This figure represents the lower range of the expected pay scale for early-career positions, where the median annual salary in Schaumburg is projected at $97,834. While these figures indicate a promising growth trajectory, new graduates should keep realistic expectations as they move from starting roles to more senior positions. Over the first few years, an entry-level professional should aim for progression through stages like P25 at $79,073 as they gain experience and develop essential skills in the industry. Recent infrastructure spending, driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signals that Schaumburg remains a solid market for graduates entering civil engineering, offering opportunities in various sectors.
About the Schaumburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Schaumburg
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 Schaumburg
Entry-level civil engineers in Schaumburg, IL typically start between $69,117 and $79,073 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,526 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,834 — 5.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Illinois of $78,000 represents just 112.85% of the starting civil engineer pay ($69,117/year) in Schaumburg. 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 Schaumburg
- 1Research the Schaumburg market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $69,117 to $79,073, 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 Schaumburg, 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 Schaumburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Schaumburg'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 Schaumburg is $82,526 ( 119.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,117, experienced hygienists can earn up to $151,643.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,654
2025 BLS Actual
$67,346
2026 Current Est.
$69,117
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Schaumburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,757 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,392 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,346 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,935 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Schaumburg, IL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,654 in 2019 to $67,346 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,935. New graduates entering the Schaumburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg
Employers in Schaumburg that are likely to hire new civil engineering graduates include prominent consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which often have structured training programs for Engineers-in-Training (EITs) aimed at preparing them for the Professional Engineer (PE) exam. Additionally, state and federal agencies, like the Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide career tracks favored by those seeking stable government jobs with benefits like pensions. On the construction side, companies like Bechtel and Fluor frequently recruit entry-level engineering talent for field engineering roles. For graduates looking to enhance their starting civil engineer pay in IL, obtaining credentials from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam during their senior year is crucial—the EIT designation follows, leading them toward the PE license, which greatly impacts long-term salary potential. The sector's growth, driven by sustained infrastructure investment, creates favorable conditions for those entering the field, as entry-level engineers can expect gradual salary enhancements as they advance within their organizations.
More salary data for Schaumburg, 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 Schaumburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Schaumburg 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