Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $47.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Oak Park, IL runs $47.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,899 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,341 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, civil engineers can expect a median hourly rate of $47.55, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This difference can impact the earning potential for those seeking part-time or per-diem arrangements. For example, a civil engineer working three days a week at this hourly rate might earn around $37,512 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. The hourly pay range for civil engineers in this area stretches from $30.66 for entry-level positions to about $73.70 for highly experienced professionals. Typical work environments include consulting firm offices equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD workstations or remote settings that require both design and plan-checking responsibilities.
About the Oak Park 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) | $30.66 | $245.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.05 | $312.41 |
| Median (P50) | $47.55 | $380.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.46 | $483.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.70 | $589.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $47.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.55/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $98,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,058. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,901.94 | $8,242 | $98,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,141.16 | $4,945 | $59,341 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $760.78 | $3,297 | $39,560 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Oak Park) | $47.55 |
| 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 Oak Park, IL earn a median of $98,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $99,597.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.55/hr = $59,341/year (purchasing power: $61,113).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,901/year (purchasing power: $101,855).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Oak Park grew 15.8% from $40.00/hr (2019) to $46.33/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.80/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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
When assessing the financial landscape for civil engineers in Oak Park, part-time workers can reap varied benefits compared to their full-time peers. Those considering per diem civil engineer pay in Oak Park often find that billing rates can be lucrative, ranging from $100 to $180 per hour for typical engagements, while expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering can charge upwards of $250 to $500 per hour. The type of employer also plays a significant role in determining hourly rates: engineering consulting firms, state DOTs, and Fortune 500 construction companies typically offer different ranges. Engineers often have to negotiate between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more stable pay that includes health insurance. For those opting for contract work, understanding local market demands and having a clear proposal strategy can significantly enhance their negotiation outcomes.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 Oak Park. 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 Oak Park 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