Civil Engineer salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Civil Engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $98,910 a year ($47.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,460 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $99,760. There are 2.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $105,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| 25th percentile | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| Median | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| 75th percentile | $126,930 | $61.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,460 | $78.10 |
| Average (mean) | $105,270 | $50.61 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,242.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,121.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,804.23 |
| Weekly | $1,902.12 |
| Hourly | $47.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $105,750 | 440 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $100,950 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,160 | 9,760 |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,070 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $96,830 | 3,150 |
| Decatur, IL | $96,170 | 100 |
| Peoria, IL | $95,140 | 430 |
| Rockford, IL | $94,850 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,950 | 410 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $81,190 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,790 | $46.06 |
| Engineers, All Other | $83,230 | $40.02 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,750 | $36.90 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $98,910 a year, or $47.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $162,460 a year. The top 25% earn $126,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,530 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $79,220 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 230 civil engineers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.