Civil Engineer Salary in Rockford, IL: $97,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Rockford, IL earns a median $97,345/year (≈ $46.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $105,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $97,345 for civil engineers in Rockford, Illinois, professionals in this field enjoy competitive compensation relative to their national counterparts, where the median stands at $103,492. Data derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys reveals a salary range that spans from $59,690 at the lower tenth percentile to $142,563 at the top ninetieth percentile. Licensure progression from Engineer in Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE) can significantly influence compensation opportunities, creating substantial pay gaps that reward higher credentials. In Rockford's job market, the demand for civil engineers remains robust, highlighting the importance of securing a PE license to access senior roles and capitalizing on the ongoing push for infrastructure projects driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,586 | $35.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,345 | $46.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,584 | $60.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,563 | $68.55 |
Median Salary Position
5.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,873 (2026 est.). At $97,345, the local median is 5.94% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Rockford median: $97,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,636 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.94% less |
Civil Engineers in Rockford, IL earn a median of $97,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.94% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.30% below the Illinois state average of $99,636.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,000
2025 BLS Actual
$94,850
2026 Current Est.
$97,345
2019–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,905 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 33.6% from $71,000 (2019) to $94,850 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,905 (40.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $59,690 – $73,586 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,586 – $97,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,345 – $126,584 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,584 – $142,563 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Rockford
The employment landscape for civil engineers in Rockford consists of approximately 160 professionals, reflecting a steady job market that can support a variety of career pathways. With a cost of living index at 92.154, the area's affordability enhances the purchasing power of civil engineers, making it an attractive location for both entry-level and experienced engineers alike. Leading employers, including top consulting firms like Jacobs and AECOM, often offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for civil engineers specializing in structural or transportation projects. Variations in salary largely depend on factors such as the type of employer—consulting firms generally pay more than local public works departments—and the professional's specialization, with a PE license further amplifying earning potential. To maximize earnings in Rockford, candidates should consider seeking out opportunities in high-demand sectors, continually enhancing their credentials, and focusing on project management roles which are increasingly lucrative as infrastructure needs escalate.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $94,850 for civil engineersin the Rockford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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