Civil Engineer Salary in Illinois
Based on 14K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$99,760
$47.96/hr
vs National Average
$99,151
+0.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$70K – $157K
14K employed in Illinois
Civil engineers in Illinois earn a median salary of $99,760 per year, positioning the state slightly above the national average. With approximately 13,910 civil engineers employed across Illinois, the profession represents a stable career path in the state's infrastructure and construction sectors. Salaries in this field range from $69,590 to $157,410 annually, reflecting significant variation based on individual circumstances.
Several factors influence civil engineer salary in Illinois, including years of experience, educational credentials, and specialization within the field. Geographic location within the state, employer type, and project complexity also play important roles in determining compensation. Engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects or in metropolitan areas like Chicago typically command higher salaries than those in smaller markets or early in their careers.
Salary Distribution — Civil Engineer in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,590 |
| 25th percentile | $79,650 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $99,760 |
| 75th percentile | $125,990 |
| 90th percentile | $157,410 |
Top H-1B Employers for Civil Engineer in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARCO/Murray National Construction Company, LLC | 4 | $100,250 |
| 2 | Modjeski and Masters, Inc. | 3 | $90,293 |
| 3 | HDR Engineering, Inc. | 3 | $107,000 |
| 4 | GSG CONSULTANTS, INC | 3 | $130,000 |
| 5 | Clayco, Inc. | 3 | $124,093 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $80,000 | 25 |
| Level II | Qualified | $90,875 | 22 |
| Level III | Experienced | $111,800 | 14 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $132,500 | 10 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Civil Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Civil Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Civil Engineers in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $157,120 | 960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $123,980 | 3K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $116,320 | 1K |
| Utilities | $112,820 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $109,740 | 600 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Civil Engineer in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $95,600 |
| 2023 | $97,870 |
| 2024 | $97,640 |
| 2025 | $99,760 |
| 2026 (projected) | $101,926 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $95,600 | $86,235 |
| 2023 | $97,870 | $90,685 |
| 2024 | $97,640 | $96,900 |
| 2025 | $99,760 | $99,151 |
| 2026 (projected) | $101,926 | $101,304 |
Civil Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,650 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $99,760 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $125,990 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $157,410 |
Civil Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Civil Engineer Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Civil Engineer ($99,760 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Civil Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in IL | $163,610 | +64.0% | $78.66/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in IL | $134,510 | +34.8% | $64.67/hr |
| Materials Engineer in IL | $126,620 | +26.9% | $60.88/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in IL | $121,560 | +21.9% | $58.44/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in IL | $108,940 | +9.2% | $52.38/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in IL | $107,990 | +8.2% | $51.92/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in IL | $107,860 | +8.1% | $51.86/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in IL | $102,680 | +2.9% | $49.37/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in IL | $100,540 | +0.8% | $48.34/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in IL | $89,520 | -10.3% | $43.04/hr |
| Occupational Therapist in IL | $99,700 | -0.1% | $47.93/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in IL | $99,840 | +0.1% | $48.00/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Illinois?
- Civil engineers in Illinois earn a median salary of $99,760 per year, or approximately $48 per hour. This is slightly above the national average, representing a +0.6% difference compared to civil engineers across the United States.
What is the salary range for civil engineers in Illinois?
- Civil engineer salaries in Illinois range from $69,590 at the lower end to $157,410 at the higher end. This wide range reflects differences in experience, specialization, and employer type across the state.
How many civil engineers work in Illinois?
- There are approximately 13,910 civil engineers currently employed in Illinois. This represents a substantial workforce in the state's engineering sector.
Is the civil engineer salary in Illinois above or below the national average?
- Yes, the median civil engineer salary in Illinois at $99,760 per year is above the national average by 0.6%. This makes Illinois a slightly competitive market for civil engineering professionals compared to the rest of the country.