Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $48.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Champaign, IL runs $48.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,903 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $48.80, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This figure reflects the competitive nature of the engineering field, particularly in local settings such as consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate translates to an annual income that allows for flexibility, making it suitable for individuals looking to balance professional and personal commitments. Entry-level positions typically start around $32.33 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $80.15 hourly, according to official BLS projections. Such variability caters to a wide spectrum of expertise and responsibilities within the profession, from CAD and Revit studios to field offices managing construction projects.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.33 | $258.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.09 | $312.73 |
| Median (P50) | $48.80 | $390.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.64 | $501.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.15 | $641.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $48.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.80/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $101,505 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,561. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.02 | $8,459 | $101,505 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.21 | $5,075 | $60,903 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.81 | $3,384 | $40,602 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Champaign) | $48.80 |
| 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 Champaign, IL earn a median of $101,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.91% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.90% above the Illinois state average of $99,619.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.80/hr = $60,903/year (purchasing power: $65,696).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,505/year (purchasing power: $109,494).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Champaign grew 7.6% from $44.20/hr (2019) to $47.55/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.08/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 Champaign 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 Champaign
Focusing on potential earnings for part-time civil engineers in Champaign, those working 24 hours a week could take home roughly $61,017 annually, which provides a viable income option compared to full-time roles. In the realm of per-diem work, civil engineers often find themselves billing an impressive $100 to $180 per hour. Notably, seasoned experts in structural forensics might command rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour when serving as witnesses. The type of employer significantly influences hourly pay rates, with firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and other consulting giants generally offering competitive compensation, while public service roles in local DOTs may provide lower rates but come with benefits such as health insurance. Engineers often face a choice between higher hourly rates lacking benefits and lower rates that include health packages. To optimize their pay, professionals can negotiate better terms by conducting market research and engaging in discussions focused on skills and project contributions.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 Champaign. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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