Civil Engineer Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $97,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $97,805/year (≈ $47.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $100,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, the civil engineer salary for 2026 is projected at $97,805, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The local pay scale runs from $71,543 at the 10th percentile to a robust $151,598 for the top ten percent of earners. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variances. Employment opportunities in the area reflect a competitive environment, primarily influenced by the dynamics between major engineering firms, construction companies, and government agencies. Prospective civil engineers should consider these sectors carefully, as salary potentials can vary significantly based on the employer's structure and the complexity of the projects involved.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,543 | $34.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,493 | $38.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,805 | $47.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,542 | $58.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,598 | $72.89 |
Median Salary Position
5.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,055 (2026 est.). At $97,805, the local median is 5.5% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $97,805/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,598 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.50% less |
Civil Engineers in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $97,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $99,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,805 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,726 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,276
2025 BLS Actual
$95,299
2026 Current Est.
$97,805
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,276 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,703 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,621 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,276 (2019) to $95,299 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,102 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,543 – $80,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,493 – $97,805 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,805 – $121,542 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,542 – $151,598 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Buffalo Grove
With only seven civil engineers employed in Buffalo Grove, the job market remains niche, and this limited pool can influence salary negotiation. The cost of living index of 97.1 indicates a lower than average cost of living compared to the national average, suggesting that civil engineer pay in Buffalo Grove, IL, provides favorable purchasing power. Among local employers, top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs are likely to offer higher salaries compared to government positions and smaller firms, due to their involvement in significant infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To maximize earning potential, aspiring engineers should aim for a Professional Engineer (PE) license, as this credential gates access to senior positions and higher pay. Additionally, focusing on specialties in structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering can provide further advantages in a varied market, driving up compensation through specialized demand.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,299 for civil engineersin the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buffalo Grove 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