Civil Engineer Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Civil Engineer salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$97,640

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$96,386

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Civil Engineer earning $97,640 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $96,386 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Illinois's cost of living.

Percentile	Nominal Salary	COL-Adjusted	Difference
10th Percentile (P10)	$66,340	$65,488	$-851
25th Percentile (P25)	$79,400	$78,381	$-1,018
Median (P50)	$97,640	$96,386	$-1,253
75th Percentile (P75)	$126,900	$125,271	$-1,628
90th Percentile (P90)	$154,790	$152,803	$-1,986

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $97,640 keeps most of its value at $96,386 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Civil Engineer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Civil Engineer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Mississippi

$119,060

RPP 87.3

2. New Mexico

$114,945

RPP 91.0

3. Louisiana

$112,969

RPP 90.6

4. Oklahoma

$112,094

RPP 88.8

5. Kentucky

$112,080

RPP 89.4

6. Alabama

$111,731

RPP 87.8

7. Nebraska

$110,645

RPP 89.8

8. North Dakota

$108,410

RPP 88.7

9. South Dakota

$108,079

RPP 88.0

10. Rhode Island

$107,211

RPP 104.7

Illinois ranks #31 out of 49 states for Civil Engineer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Civil Engineer in Illinois after cost of living?

A Civil Engineer in Illinois earns a median salary of $97,640 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $96,386 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Civil Engineer in Illinois: $97,640 x (100 / 101.3) = $96,386. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.