Civil Engineer Salary in Naperville, IL: $103,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Naperville, IL earns a median $103,868/year (≈ $49.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Naperville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $106,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Naperville, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $103,868, slightly above the national median of $103,492. The salary range is notable, with entry-level positions starting around $66,806 and experienced roles reaching up to $160,995. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect the local job market and the increasing demand for civil engineering expertise. As civil engineers progress in their careers, particularly with the achievement of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, their earning potential tends to increase significantly, highlighting the importance of this credential in accessing higher-paying opportunities within Naperville's engineering sector.
About the Naperville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,806 | $32.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,233 | $38.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,868 | $49.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,148 | $63.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,995 | $77.40 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Naperville
In Naperville, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,189 (2026 est.). At $103,868, the local median is 0.36% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Naperville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Naperville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Naperville median: $103,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Naperville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,586 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.36% more |
Civil Engineers in Naperville, IL earn a median of $103,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.30% above the Illinois state average of $99,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Naperville 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.
Naperville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $103,868 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,376
2025 BLS Actual
$101,206
2026 Current Est.
$103,868
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,376 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,891 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,599 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Naperville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $87,376 (2019) to $101,206 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,223 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Naperville 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) | $66,806 – $79,233 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,233 – $103,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,868 – $132,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,148 – $160,995 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Naperville
The job market in Naperville, where 23 civil engineers currently practice, remains robust, especially given the local cost of living index of 97.1—indicating that living expenses are slightly lower than the national average. This economic backdrop enhances the purchasing power of engineers, further amplified by the region’s active infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Among employers, top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, while public sector positions may provide stability but at a lower pay scale. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the PE license, specialty areas like structural and geotechnical engineering, and firm tier differences. For those looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Naperville, pursuing certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and considering roles in top-tier consulting firms are effective strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Naperville, 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 $101,206 for civil engineersin the Naperville 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 Naperville 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