salary$100,160 a year$48 an hour · median pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$74,130per year
Top pay (top 10%)$159,940per year
Jobs in the area9,760people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford Chicago?
OK. Rent of $1,983 a month takes 23.8% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Chicago, IL?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area is $100,160 a year ($48 an hour). Most earn between $74,130 and $159,940.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in Chicago?
Typical rent of $1,983 a month takes 23.8% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.