SalaryNode

Average Civil Engineers Salary in Illinois

Civil Engineers in Illinois earn an average annual salary of $104,430, which is slightly below the national average of $106,590. This marginal difference can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the state's specific economic landscape, infrastructure demands, and the overall supply and demand for specialized engineering talent within the region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $104,430 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 14.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $154,790.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 13,400 Civil Engineers, Illinois demonstrates a significant presence in this field. The Location Quotient of 0.96 indicates that the concentration of Civil Engineers in Illinois is nearly on par with the national average, suggesting a stable and robust job market that consistently requires skilled professionals for its ongoing development and maintenance projects.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$104,430

The average Civil Engineers in Illinois earns-2.0%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$50.2

Weekly

$2,008

Monthly

$8,703

Civil Engineers Salary Distribution in Illinois

The career path for Civil Engineers in Illinois typically shows a clear salary progression from entry-level to senior positions. While the average salary stands at $104,430, experienced engineers, particularly those in senior or specialized roles, can command significantly higher compensation. The widening salary gap between junior and senior professionals reflects the increasing value placed on expertise, project management skills, and leadership capabilities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$66,340$31.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$78,323$37.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$97,640$46.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$130,538$62.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$154,790$74.4

Detailed Civil Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$104,430

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$113,758

Adjusted for COL (91.8)

The average Civil Engineer salary of $104,430 in Illinois presents a favorable financial standing when considering the local Cost of Living Index of 91.8. This index is below the national average of 100, meaning that the purchasing power of an engineer's salary in Illinois is likely greater than in a more expensive region, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle.

Job Market Context

13,400

Total Jobs

2.21

Per 1K Jobs

0.96

Location Quotient

Below Average

Illinois has 0.96x the national average concentration of Civil Engineers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

Illinois's Location Quotient of 0.96 for Civil Engineers suggests a job market that is closely aligned with national employment concentrations. This indicates a healthy and competitive environment where the demand for Civil Engineers is balanced with the available talent pool, offering good opportunities for both job seekers and employers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Civil Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Bloomington, IL Civil Engineers Salary$93,400↓ 11%9 mi
Decatur, IL Civil Engineers Salary$95,160↓ 9%34 mi
Champaign-Urbana, IL Civil Engineers Salary$100,990↓ 3%41 mi
Peoria, IL Civil Engineers Salary$103,600↓ 1%43 mi
Springfield, IL Civil Engineers Salary$108,730↑ 4%53 mi

Comparing salaries near Illinois

Hiring Civil Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Civil Engineers make in Illinois?

The median annual salary for a Civil Engineers in Illinois is $104,430. This typically ranges from $66,340 for entry-level positions to $154,790 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Illinois is 2.0% lower than the national median of $106,590.

Is Illinois a lucrative place for Civil Engineers?

Yes, Illinois offers a competitive environment for Civil Engineers.Civil Engineers in Illinois earn an average of $104,430, which is close to the national average, and benefit from a cost of living below the national index.

Is Illinois a good place to live for Civil Engineers?

With a Cost of Living Index of 91.8 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

Where are the highest paying cities near Illinois?

Some top paying nearby cities include Bloomington, IL ($93,400) and Decatur, IL.

How does the number of Civil Engineers in Illinois compare nationally?

Illinois employs 13,400 Civil Engineers, with a concentration (Location Quotient) of 0.96, indicating a presence very close to the national average.

What is the job availability for Civil Engineers in Illinois?

There are approximately 2.21 Civil Engineer jobs per 1,000 workers in Illinois, reflecting consistent demand within the state's workforce.

How does the cost of living in Illinois affect a Civil Engineer's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 91.8, Illinois is more affordable than the national average, meaning the $104,430 salary offers strong purchasing power.

Are there significant salary differences based on experience for Civil Engineers in Illinois?

Yes, experienced Civil Engineers typically earn substantially more than entry-level professionals, with salary increases reflecting accumulated expertise and responsibility.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 13,400 employees in the Illinois area with a job density of 2.21 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Civil Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Illinois