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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago: $101K Median

Civil Engineers in Chicago, IL earn between $68K and $152K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $100,685 per year — +5% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $151,841 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Chicago earned approximately $17,664 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$100,685
+470.0% YoY · $8,390/mo
Entry
$68,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$131,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$151,841
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$101K
Atlanta
$101K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$100K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$96K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Chicago

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,250$100,685$151,841
Monthly$5,688$8,390$12,653
Weekly$1,313$1,936$2,920
Hourly$33$48$73

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$74,145.99
Per month$6,179
Biweekly paycheck$2,852
Effective tax rate26.4%

Tax Breakdown on $100,685

Gross salary$100,685
Federal income tax−$13,852.7
Illinois state tax−$4,983.908
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,702.403
Take-home (net)$74,145.99

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,790
2–3 yr$68,250
4–6 yr$99,750
7–10 yr$131,250
11–15 yr$154,875
15+ yr$141,546

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,664
2026 median:$100,685
Change:+$83,021

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$94,098
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $89,897 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $131K–$152K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Chicago is $100,685 per year as of April 2026 — $8,390/month, $1,936/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $151,841 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $100,685 a good Civil Engineer salary in Chicago?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $100,685 a real purchasing power of approximately $94,098 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $100,685 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $100,685 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $100,685 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $100,685 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $100,685 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $100,685 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $100,685 each ($201,370 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $100,685 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $100,685 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Chicago. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Chicago?
On a $100,685 Civil Engineer salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $74,145.99 per year ($6,179/month, $2,852 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,852.7, state $4,983.908, FICA $7,702.403. Effective tax rate: 26.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $100,685 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $94,098 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Chicago typically start at around $68,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $131,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $151,841+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Chicago grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $17,664 in 2025 to $100,685 in 2026 (+$83,021). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Chicago?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Chicago include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Chicago?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Chicago?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$101KPhiladelphia, PA$100KDallas, TX$101KFort Worth, TX$98KCharlotte, NC$98KSacramento, CA$104KAtlanta, GA$101KRaleigh, NC$101K

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