Civil Engineer Salary in Crystal Lake, IL: $94,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Crystal Lake, IL earns a median $94,868/year (≈ $45.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Crystal Lake's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $97,701 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Crystal Lake, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $94,868, which falls below the national median of $103,492, reflecting a difference of 8.33%. The local salary range extends from $67,592 at the 10th percentile to $147,045 at the 90th percentile, showcasing potential earnings that vary significantly based on experience, education, and specialization. These figures are derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. As civil engineers advance from the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) to the PE (Professional Engineer) licensure, they typically experience notable increases in compensation, further emphasizing the value of accredited credentials in the local job market.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,592 | $32.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,670 | $36.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,868 | $45.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,431 | $58.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,045 | $70.69 |
Median Salary Position
8.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Crystal Lake
In Crystal Lake, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,453 (2026 est.). At $94,868, the local median is 8.33% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Crystal Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Crystal Lake Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Crystal Lake median: $94,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Crystal Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,651 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.33% less |
Civil Engineers in Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $94,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.33% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $99,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Crystal Lake 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.
Crystal Lake, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,868 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,701 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$79,805
2025 BLS Actual
$92,437
2026 Current Est.
$94,868
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,189 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,437 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,363 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Crystal Lake metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,805 (2019) to $92,437 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,363 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,558 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Crystal Lake 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) | $67,592 – $76,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,670 – $94,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,868 – $121,431 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,431 – $147,045 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Crystal Lake
The civil engineer job market in Crystal Lake is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index in the area is 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, indicating that salaries here may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as larger construction companies such as Bechtel. The disparity in pay is largely driven by factors like licensure, with those holding a PE enjoying higher salaries, as well as specialization in fields like transportation or geotechnical engineering. Additionally, involvement in projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can result in increased compensation. To enhance earning potential, civil engineers should focus on obtaining their PE license and consider positions in high-tier firms or government agencies, which typically offer more structured growth paths.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Crystal Lake, IL in 2026?
Is Crystal Lake, IL a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Crystal Lake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Crystal Lake?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Crystal Lake?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $92,437 for civil engineersin the Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake 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