Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Buffalo Grove, IL: $47.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Buffalo Grove, IL runs $47.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,805 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Buffalo Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,687 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $47.03, which is slightly below the national average of $49.76. For engineers considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a viable income, allowing for flexibility within various working environments. Many engineers can be found in consulting firms equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site offices, government DOT offices, or even remote settings. The hourly rate varies significantly across the profession, with entry-level positions starting around $34.39 and experienced engineers earning as much as $72.89 per hour. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the diverse opportunities available to civil engineers in Buffalo Grove.
About the Buffalo Grove 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) | $34.39 | $275.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.70 | $309.61 |
| Median (P50) | $47.03 | $376.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.44 | $467.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.89 | $583.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo Grove
Based on $47.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.03/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $97,812 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,430. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,881.00 | $8,151 | $97,812 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,128.60 | $4,891 | $58,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $752.40 | $3,260 | $39,125 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Buffalo Grove) | $47.03 |
| 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 Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $97,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $99,598.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.03/hr = $58,687/year (purchasing power: $60,440).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,812/year (purchasing power: $100,733).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Buffalo Grove grew 15.8% from $39.56/hr (2019) to $45.82/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.26/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 Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove
For civil engineers working part-time, such as those committed to 24-hour weeks, the potential earnings can differ greatly compared to their full-time counterparts. The per diem civil engineer pay in Buffalo Grove typically aligns with a flexible, contractor-based lifestyle; those on 1099 receive hourly rates ranging from $100 to $180. Experienced specialty consultants, including structural and forensic engineers, command even higher fees, billing up to $500 per hour for their expertise. The variability in hourly rates is influenced by employer types. Engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs may offer reliable benefits in exchange for slightly lower hourly wages compared to construction firms like Bechtel that often pay more but lack such advantages. Negotiating for peak hourly rates can benefit from demonstrating specialized experience or obtaining a Professional Engineer license, which signals readiness for advanced roles in the field.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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 Buffalo Grove. 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 Buffalo Grove 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