Job Salary Guide · 2026
Civil Engineer Salary After Tax in Chicago
Based on BLS OEWS data · IL · Single filer
Civil Engineer Salary Range
25th Percentile
$72,000
Take-home:
$55,474
$4,623/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$92,000
Take-home:
$68,554
$5,713/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$118,000
Take-home:
$85,558
$7,130/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $92,000
Cost of Living in Chicago
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$2,600/mo
COL Index
1.38
Comfortable Rent Max
$1,428/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $5,713 ($68,556/yr)
$2,857
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$1,714
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$1,143
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$34,278
Wants / year
$20,567
Savings / year
$13,711
Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Chicago?
The median Civil Engineer salary in Chicago (IL) is $92,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $72,000 and the 75th percentile is $118,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Chicago?
At the median salary of $92,000, a Civil Engineer in IL takes home approximately $68,554 per year ($5,713/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 25.48%.
Can a Civil Engineer afford rent in Chicago?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $2,000/month. On the median Civil Engineer salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 35%, which is "Moderate". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($1,428/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Civil Engineer salaries in Chicago?
Chicago has a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (1.00 = national average). Chicago is 38% more expensive than the US average, which reduces the real purchasing power of the Civil Engineer salary.