Civil Engineer Salary in Wheeling, IL: $97,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wheeling, IL earns a median $97,249/year (≈ $46.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $100,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Wheeling, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $97,249, which reflects local adjustments based on recent BLS data. The salary range spans from $70,213 for entry-level positions to $150,736 for those at the top end, indicating a robust earning potential depending on experience and specialization. The figures presented represent estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parities, providing a realistic glimpse into the earnings landscape for civil engineers in the area. With a projected growth rate of 2.63% annually, Wheeling's civil engineering job market appears stable, offering a variety of pathways for advancement and specialization that can significantly influence compensation levels.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,213 | $33.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,352 | $38.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,249 | $46.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,479 | $59.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,736 | $72.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,523 (2026 est.). At $97,249, the local median is 6.03% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $97,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $99,640 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.03% less |
Civil Engineers in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $97,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $99,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,808
2025 BLS Actual
$94,757
2026 Current Est.
$97,249
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,808 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,757 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,808 (2019) to $94,757 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,999 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $70,213 – $79,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,352 – $97,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,249 – $124,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,479 – $150,736 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wheeling
The local job market for civil engineers in Wheeling employs only six professionals, indicating a niche environment where opportunities may be fewer but potentially lucrative. The cost of living index in Wheeling, which sits at 97.1 below the national average, can enhance the purchasing power for civil engineers despite slightly lower salaries relative to the national median of $103,492. Top employers in the vicinity include leading engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, as well as major construction companies like Bechtel. The salary disparities arise from several factors, including the necessity of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which often correlates with senior-level positions and higher pay, as well as specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering. To maximize their potential earnings, civil engineers in Wheeling should focus on gaining licensure and certifications while exploring opportunities with firms engaged in ongoing infrastructure projects driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is expected to bolster demand in the coming years.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $94,757 for civil engineersin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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