Civil Engineer Salary in Oak Park, IL: $98,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Oak Park, IL earns a median $98,899/year (≈ $47.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $101,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a civil engineer in Oak Park can expect to earn a median annual salary of $98,899, which reflects a slight reduction compared to the national median of $103,492. This city’s salary range stretches from $63,768 at the 10th percentile to $153,294 at the 90th percentile, providing a significant spread that showcases potential for career advancement and specialization in this field. The figures presented are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, offering a more accurate outlook tailored to the economic context of Oak Park. With a relatively small local workforce of 10 civil engineers, the market's job dynamics suggest a competitive edge may exist for those with advanced licensure and experience.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,768 | $30.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,216 | $39.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,899 | $47.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,765 | $60.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,294 | $73.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,526 (2026 est.). At $98,899, the local median is 4.44% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $98,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,597 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.44% less |
Civil Engineers in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $98,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $99,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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 Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,197
2025 BLS Actual
$96,365
2026 Current Est.
$98,899
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,949 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,197 (2019) to $96,365 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,303 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $63,768 – $81,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,216 – $98,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,899 – $125,765 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,765 – $153,294 |
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 Park
In terms of market strength, the civil engineer pay in Oak Park, IL, is influenced by various local factors, including the cost of living, which has a lower index of 97.1 compared to the national average. This translates to a higher take-home purchasing power for local engineers. Key employers in the area include top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as governmental agencies that often offer competitive salaries. The variance in pay can largely be attributed to the type of employer—those with Professional Engineer (PE) licenses tend to command higher wages, particularly in sectors like infrastructure and specialty engineering. As demand for civil engineering services rises due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers can enhance their earnings by pursuing licensure, specializing in high-need areas, and strategically choosing employers that align with their career goals.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $96,365 for civil engineersin the Oak Park 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 Park 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