Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Carol Stream, IL: $46.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Carol Stream, IL runs $46.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,591 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Carol Stream's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,957 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carol Stream, Illinois, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $46.44. This amount is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.76, indicating a competitive but regionally affected wage scale. For part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, engineers would earn a substantial income, particularly as their skills allow them to take on projects in diverse settings like consulting firm offices or construction site field locations. The hourly range in Carol Stream varies significantly, stretching from $30.62 for entry-level positions to $71.97 for experienced professionals nearing the top of their careers, reflecting a blend of expertise and market demand in the area.
About the Carol Stream 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) | $30.62 | $245.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.54 | $308.30 |
| Median (P50) | $46.44 | $371.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.44 | $475.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.97 | $575.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carol Stream
Based on $46.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carol Stream, IL can expect to earn approximately $96,595 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,728. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carol Stream.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carol Stream
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,857.60 | $8,050 | $96,595 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,114.56 | $4,830 | $57,957 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $743.04 | $3,220 | $38,638 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Carol Stream) | $46.44 |
| 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 Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $96,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.67% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $99,579.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.44/hr = $57,957/year (purchasing power: $59,688).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,595/year (purchasing power: $99,480).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Carol Stream grew 15.8% from $39.07/hr (2019) to $45.25/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.66/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 Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Part-time civil engineers working a 24-hour week can expect to bring home around $58,875 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time roles that yield significantly higher annual earnings. For those opting for per-diem or 1099 arrangements, the financial prospects shift further. Established civil engineers in Carol Stream often bill rates that vary from $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized fields like structural or forensic engineering may command even higher per diem civil engineer pay, surpassing $250 hourly for expert witnesses or unique consulting services. The hourly rates also fluctuate based on the type of employer; major engineering consulting firms and construction companies could offer varying compensation that balances the trade-off between benefits and higher hourly rates. Successful negotiation for civil engineers in this market will hinge on emphasizing skills and credentials while carefully weighing the benefits of stable employment against the opportunity for higher earnings in contract work.
More salary data for Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream. 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 Carol Stream 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