Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $47.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Palatine, IL runs $47.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palatine, Illinois, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $47.99, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This figure not only reflects the competitive nature of job roles at various settings such as consulting firms with advanced design software, construction sites, and government offices, but it also signals viable opportunities for both part-time and per-diem work. For instance, an engineer working three days a week could expect to earn around $3,919 in gross monthly income, while per-diem engineers might find short-term contracts paying between $31.47 and $74.39 per hour. This range captures entry-level positions alongside experienced professionals, demonstrating the lucrative pay potential for specialized civil engineers in fields such as structural design or project management.
About the Palatine 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) | $31.47 | $251.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.07 | $296.56 |
| Median (P50) | $47.99 | $383.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.42 | $491.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.39 | $595.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $47.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.99/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,588. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,919.59 | $8,318 | $99,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.75 | $4,991 | $59,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.84 | $3,327 | $39,928 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Palatine) | $47.99 |
| 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 Palatine, IL earn a median of $99,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.55% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $99,623.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.99/hr = $59,891/year (purchasing power: $61,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,819/year (purchasing power: $102,800).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Palatine grew 15.8% from $40.37/hr (2019) to $46.76/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.25/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 Palatine 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 Palatine
Evaluating part-time options paints an intriguing picture of civil engineering positions in Palatine. A civil engineer working three days a week, assuming 24 hours of work, might see an annual take-home of approximately $52,416—substantially less than a full-time worker but still significant in the current job market. Moreover, per diem civil engineer pay in Palatine varies widely; while independent contractors might bill $100 to $180 per hour, seasoned experts in niche fields can command between $250 to $500 per hour. Salary differences often depend on the type of employer, with engineering consulting firms like Jacobs, Stantec, and WSP or large construction entities like Bechtel offering varied compensation packages. It's advisable for engineers to weigh the value of lower hourly wages supplemented with benefits against potentially higher pay without those perks. Negotiating hourly rates should be tailored to showcase specific skill sets and project experience to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Palatine, 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 Palatine. 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 Palatine 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