Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL: $102,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Chicago, IL earns a median $102,794/year (≈ $49.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $99,227 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Chicago's civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $102,794 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the market compared to the national median of $103,492. Compensation ranges significantly from $76,080 at the 10th percentile to $164,146 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience, specialization, and licensure. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys form the basis of these estimates, highlighting the value that professional accreditation, such as the PE license, adds to career advancement and salary potential. The robust infrastructure development driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is poised to enhance job security and opportunities in Chicago for those in civil engineering roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,125 | $39.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,794 | $49.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,899 | $62.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,146 | $78.92 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,066 (2026 est.). At $102,794, the local median is 0.67% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Chicago median: $102,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,607 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.67% less |
Civil Engineers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $102,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.20% above the Illinois state average of $99,607.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,794 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,227 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,470
2025 BLS Actual
$100,160
2026 Current Est.
$102,794
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $86,470 (2019) to $100,160 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,028 (22.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $76,080 – $82,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,125 – $102,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,794 – $129,899 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,899 – $164,146 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Chicago
In the Chicago IL job market, approximately 9,760 civil engineers are employed, reflecting a strong demand for professionals in this field. The cost of living index stands at 103.595, which slightly increases the pressure on civil engineers' take-home salaries and their purchasing power. Among local employers, top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs offer some of the highest salaries, while federal agencies and public sector roles typically provide steady employment but may not match private sector pay. The distinct pay dispersion can largely be attributed to factors such as specialization in high-demand areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, the weight of a PE license in role advancement, and variations in firm reputation. For civil engineers aiming for the best compensation in Chicago, pursuing advanced credentials and focusing on cuts of work opened by recent infrastructure spending can significantly enhance career and salary growth.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $100,160 for civil engineersin the Chicago 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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