Civil Engineer Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $97,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $97,077/year (≈ $46.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $99,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Oak Lawn, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $97,077. This figure is slightly below the national median of $103,492, illustrating a regional salary dynamic influenced by local economic factors and the cost of living. The salary spectrum ranges from $67,091 at the lower 10th percentile to $150,469 at the upper 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse levels of experience and specialization within the profession. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, offer insight into how licensure progression—from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE)—can significantly impact compensation, particularly in a competitive market where advanced credentials often lead to higher-paying opportunities. With ongoing infrastructure investments fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the demand for civil engineers in this area remains robust.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,091 | $32.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,442 | $36.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,077 | $46.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,258 | $59.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,469 | $72.34 |
Median Salary Position
6.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,378 (2026 est.). At $97,077, the local median is 6.2% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $97,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,668 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.20% less |
Civil Engineers in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $97,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.20% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $99,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,077 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,976 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,663
2025 BLS Actual
$94,589
2026 Current Est.
$97,077
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,663 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,365 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,663 (2019) to $94,589 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,967 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $67,091 – $75,442 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,442 – $97,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,077 – $124,258 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,258 – $150,469 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Oak Lawn
The job market for civil engineers in Oak Lawn is relatively concentrated, with approximately 14 professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of civil engineer salaries. Employers like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the most competitive pay for engineers, particularly for those engaging in high-stakes projects, while smaller firms may focus on fostering local relationships and specific service niches. The variation in salaries is largely driven by factors such as the attainment of a PE license, the particular area of specialty—such as geotechnical or structural engineering—and the tier of the employing firm. For engineers aiming to maximize their compensation in Oak Lawn, pursuing licensure and specializing in high-demand sectors while considering opportunities in both consulting firms and construction companies can offer significant advantages.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $94,589 for civil engineersin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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