Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Aurora, IL: $47.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Aurora, IL runs $47.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,377 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Aurora's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,020 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Illinois, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $47.29, slightly below the national average of $49.76. This figure highlights the competitive nature of the job market in the region, where civil engineers typically find work in consulting firms, state DOT offices, and construction sites. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, particularly in roles that often employ CAD software in office settings or oversee projects in the field, this rate translates into a respectable income for flexible work schedules. Entry-level positions can start at $31.75 per hour, while seasoned professionals may earn as much as $73.31 per hour. Such variability underscores how firms, depending on their size and specialization, can shape the compensation landscape in the civil engineering sector.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.75 | $254.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.02 | $288.19 |
| Median (P50) | $47.29 | $378.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.54 | $484.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.31 | $586.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aurora
Based on $47.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.29/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aurora, IL can expect to earn approximately $98,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,750. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aurora.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aurora
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,891.68 | $8,197 | $98,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,135.01 | $4,918 | $59,020 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $756.67 | $3,279 | $39,347 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Aurora) | $47.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Aurora, IL earn a median of $98,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.94% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $99,673.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.29/hr = $59,020/year (purchasing power: $60,783).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,367/year (purchasing power: $101,305).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Aurora grew 15.8% from $39.78/hr (2019) to $46.08/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Aurora
Examining part-time earning potential, a civil engineer working three days a week (24 hours) would see an annual take-home that significantly contrasts with full-time colleagues. Based on projected hourly figures, this could equate to around $54,000 annually, which can be attractive for those valuing work-life balance. On the higher end of the spectrum, per diem civil engineers in Aurora can command rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialists in areas like structural and forensic engineering potentially billing up to $500 per hour as expert witnesses. Hourly rates also show variation based on employer types, whether working for established engineering consulting giants or local public agencies. Engineers might trade a slightly lower hourly rate for the stability of benefits in full-time roles. Those looking for a better bargaining position should consider demonstrating their PE licensure and specialization in high-demand areas, as this can be pivotal when negotiating contracts, especially in a city like Aurora, where various sectors seek qualified civil engineers.
More salary data for Aurora, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Aurora. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aurora 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