Civil Engineer Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $95,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $95,046/year (≈ $45.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $97,885 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Downers Grove, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $95,046, which reflects a competitive position relative to national figures. With a salary range spanning from $68,008 at the 10th percentile to $147,321 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a robust earning potential shaped by expertise and licensure. Entry-level professionals may find themselves starting at the lower end of this spectrum, while those with a Professional Engineer (PE) license can greatly enhance their marketability and earnings. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, suggest that Downers Grove's civil engineer salary slightly lags behind the national median of $103,492, yet it remains a promising locale for a flourishing career in engineering.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,008 | $32.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,026 | $37.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,046 | $45.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,659 | $58.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,321 | $70.82 |
Median Salary Position
8.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,313 (2026 est.). At $95,046, the local median is 8.16% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $95,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,629 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.16% less |
Civil Engineers in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $95,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.16% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $99,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers 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.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,046 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,885 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
$79,955
2025 BLS Actual
$92,610
2026 Current Est.
$95,046
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,341 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,064 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,491 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,955 (2019) to $92,610 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,590 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers 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) | $68,008 – $77,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,026 – $95,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,046 – $121,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,659 – $147,321 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Downers Grove
The job market for civil engineers in Downers Grove currently employs approximately 11 professionals, illustrating a specialized but robust demand. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the relative affordability of living in Downers Grove means that take-home pay can stretch further than in more expensive markets. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs are noted for offering higher salaries, driven by the need for specialized knowledge in civil engineering sectors like transportation and structural design. The significant variance in pay can be attributed not only to firm caliber—where top-tier consulting firms command premium salaries—but also to factors such as the PE credential commanding higher compensation, varying project demands, and the ongoing impact of infrastructure investments spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider pursuing licensure, staying updated on contemporary engineering methods, and networking with local industry leaders to leverage local opportunities and projects.
More salary data for Downers Grove, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Downers Grove, IL in 2026?
Is Downers Grove, IL a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Downers Grove?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Downers Grove?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Downers Grove?
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 $92,610 for civil engineersin the Downers 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 Downers 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