Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $48.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Elgin, IL runs $48.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $48.98 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate presents opportunities for part-time work, particularly for civil engineers who may opt to work three days a week. For those in typical environments, such as consulting firm offices where CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD software are utilized, this can translate into a stable income even for reduced hours. Entry-level engineers might earn as little as $33.71 per hour, while the most experienced professionals can command rates as high as $75.92. These hourly rates are reflective of estimates derived from annual salary data, and they highlight both the accessibility and potential for growth within the profession in Elgin and the wider Illinois landscape.
About the Elgin 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) | $33.71 | $269.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.09 | $304.69 |
| Median (P50) | $48.98 | $391.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.70 | $501.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.92 | $607.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $48.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.98/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $101,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,770. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,959.00 | $8,489 | $101,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,175.40 | $5,093 | $61,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $783.60 | $3,396 | $40,747 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Elgin) | $48.98 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $101,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.56% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.30% above the Illinois state average of $99,587.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.98/hr = $61,121/year (purchasing power: $62,946).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,868/year (purchasing power: $104,910).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Elgin grew 15.8% from $41.20/hr (2019) to $47.72/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.26/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Examining the part-time earning scenario, a civil engineer working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would take home approximately $61,056 annually, compared to a full-time salary, which could reach upwards of $101,878. Per diem arrangements can significantly alter earning dynamics, as licensed civil engineers may bill $100-$180 per hour while working on short-term contracts. Investigative and specialty roles, such as forensic engineering, can yield even higher compensation—with rates from $150 to $500 for expert witness work. Rates can vary widely depending on the employer, with engineering consulting firms generally offering competitive salaries, while public and private sectors like government agencies or construction firms present different benefits packages. Recognizing that some engineers may take lower hourly pay for the sake of health insurance and stability is essential. Understanding local negotiation tactics, particularly for part-time positions in Elgin's market, can provide engineers insight into asserting their worth, keeping in mind the influence of infrastructure investment on demand for their expertise.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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