Civil Engineer Salary in Evanston, IL: $99,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Evanston, IL earns a median $99,065/year (≈ $47.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineer salaries in Evanston, Illinois, reflect a robust local market shaped by significant infrastructure spending resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2026, the projected median annual salary is $99,065, which is slightly below the national median of $103,492. Civil engineers in the area can expect to earn between $64,141 at the lower end (P10) and up to $153,550 at the higher end (P90) of the pay scale. These figures, derived from estimated BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a competitive salary landscape that aligns with ongoing demand for skilled civil engineering professionals in local projects. The active hiring climate in Evanston reflects this upward trend, driving recruitment competition among engineering firms.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,141 | $30.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,608 | $36.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,065 | $47.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,802 | $60.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,550 | $73.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,409 (2026 est.). At $99,065, the local median is 4.28% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Evanston median: $99,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,663 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.28% less |
Civil Engineers in Evanston, IL earn a median of $99,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $99,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,065 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,024 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,336
2025 BLS Actual
$96,526
2026 Current Est.
$99,065
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,336 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,781 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,283 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,487 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,336 (2019) to $96,526 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,334 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $64,141 – $75,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,608 – $99,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,065 – $126,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,802 – $153,550 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Evanston
The local job market for civil engineers in Evanston consists of a compact but vital workforce, with 16 engineers currently employed in various sectors. The cost-of-living index of 97.1 means that salaries may stretch a little further compared to national averages, allowing for a sustainable lifestyle. Major employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and local government agencies often pay higher salaries, particularly for roles requiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can significantly bolster earnings potential. The salary spectrum reflects various factors, with specialties like structural engineering or geotechnical focus attracting premiums. To maximize civil engineer pay in Evanston, professionals should consider positioning themselves within top consulting firms or pursuing senior roles that leverage their PE credentials. Building strong local networks can also play a critical role in staying competitive in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Evanston, 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 $96,526 for civil engineersin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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