Civil Engineer Salary in Oswego, IL: $95,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Oswego, IL earns a median $95,943/year (≈ $46.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $98,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oswego, Illinois, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $95,943 in 2026. Salaries range significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $69,712 (10th percentile) while top earners can make up to $148,711 (90th percentile). These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. Comparatively, Oswego's civil engineer compensation falls approximately 7.29% below the national median of $103,492 for the same year. However, licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) can significantly enhance earning potential and propel candidates into senior or specialized roles within the field.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,712 | $33.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,837 | $37.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,943 | $46.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,638 | $58.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,711 | $71.49 |
Median Salary Position
7.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,999 (2026 est.). At $95,943, the local median is 7.29% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Oswego median: $95,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,629 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.29% less |
Civil Engineers in Oswego, IL earn a median of $95,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.29% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $99,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego 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.
Oswego, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,808 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,709
2025 BLS Actual
$93,484
2026 Current Est.
$95,943
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,709 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,109 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,627 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,379 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,709 (2019) to $93,484 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,757 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $69,712 – $78,837 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,837 – $95,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,943 – $122,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,638 – $148,711 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Oswego
The civil engineering job market in Oswego is relatively small, with only seven professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which contributes to the financial dynamics impacting civil engineer pay in Oswego, IL. Major local employers include consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which are known for higher salary offerings compared to state DOTs and smaller firms. The pay disparity arises from various factors, including the PE licensure, specialty areas (like geotechnical or structural engineering), and the type of firm (large consulting versus mid-tier). For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing a PE license and gaining experience with high-demand specialties in rapidly funded areas under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can provide significant advantages in this local market.
More salary data for Oswego, 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 $93,484 for civil engineersin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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