Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Waukegan, IL: $47.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Waukegan, IL runs $47.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,767 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Waukegan's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,866 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Waukegan, Illinois, command a median hourly pay of $47.97, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate is particularly relevant for engineers working part-time or on a per-diem basis, which is common in settings like consulting firm offices that use CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD tools, as well as at field offices on construction sites. For professionals considering part-time opportunities, the hourly rates range significantly, from $31.60 for entry-level positions to $74.35 for top earners. Hourly pay estimates are derived from annual salary data, making these figures useful for those evaluating various work arrangements within Waukegan's civil engineering sector, where the demand remains high due to ongoing infrastructure projects and local government initiatives.
About the Waukegan 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) | $31.60 | $252.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.02 | $296.15 |
| Median (P50) | $47.97 | $383.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.39 | $491.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.35 | $594.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukegan
Based on $47.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.97/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukegan, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,563. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukegan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukegan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,918.77 | $8,315 | $99,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.26 | $4,989 | $59,866 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.51 | $3,326 | $39,910 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Waukegan) | $47.97 |
| 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 Waukegan, IL earn a median of $99,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $99,667.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.97/hr = $59,866/year (purchasing power: $61,654).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,776/year (purchasing power: $102,756).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Waukegan grew 15.8% from $40.35/hr (2019) to $46.74/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.23/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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
Examining the part-time earning potential for a civil engineer working three days a week reveals distinct differences in annual take-home pay compared to full-time roles. A 24-hour work week can yield significant earnings, but many professionals opt for per-diem arrangements where they may bill between $100 and $180 per hour, particularly those holding PE licenses. Specialty fields such as structural or forensic engineering can see rates climb to $250-$500 per hour. Variability in hourly pay also exists depending on the type of employer; engineering firms, construction companies, and government agencies often offer different compensation packages. While some engineers may forgo higher hourly rates for comprehensive health insurance and benefits, others may prefer the flexibility of contract work. For those considering their options in Waukegan, understanding the negotiation landscape is key, highlighting the importance of experience, specialization, and local market conditions when discussing rates and benefits.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 Waukegan. 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 Waukegan 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