Engineering Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median civil engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $96,236 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$96,236
vs State Avg
+$10,793
vs National
+$6,296
Cost of Living
107%

Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $66,340, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,340
+$4,340 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$96,300
+$6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,100
+$9,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $64,628
25th Percentile $78,324
Median (50th) $96,236
75th Percentile $121,980
90th Percentile $148,302

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$97,135
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$85,443
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$76,449
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$73,751
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Chicago

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open civil engineer positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $96,236 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $64,628 (10th percentile) to $148,302 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $96,236, a civil engineer in Chicago earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Chicago's median civil engineer salary of $96,236 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $85,443. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $96,236 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Chicago? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.