Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Environmental Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median environmental engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $79,392 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$79,392
vs State Avg
$-12,587
vs National
$-17,428
Cost of Living
82%

Environmental Engineer Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median environmental engineer salary of $79,392, which is $12,587 below the Illinois state average of $91,979. Compared to the national median of $96,820, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $79,392 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Rockford spans from $50,020 at the 10th percentile to $121,360 at the 90th percentile — a $71,340 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,480, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $116,440. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $52,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,480
$-11,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,360
$-17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,440
$-25,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $50,020
25th Percentile $62,320
Median (50th) $79,392
75th Percentile $100,040
90th Percentile $121,360

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$104,566
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$103,597
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$91,979
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$82,297
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $79,392 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $50,020 (10th percentile) to $121,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,392, a environmental engineer in Rockford earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median environmental engineer salary of $79,392 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $91,979. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a environmental engineer salary of $79,392 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Rockford require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.