Environmental Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $107,550 +3.2% vs national
Median hourly $51.71
10th percentile $71,330
90th percentile $150,070
Employed locally 1,050
National median $104,170

Compare Environmental Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Environmental Engineers
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,330
    25th
    $90,030
    50th (median)
    $107,550
    75th
    $129,420
    90th
    $150,070

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Engineers salary vs area income 121% Median Environmental Engineers salary is 21% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $140,760
    Bend, OR $140,590
    Midland, TX $139,230
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $138,090

    Nearby metros — Environmental Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,830
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $122,290
    Wilmington, NC $119,350
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $118,550
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $113,590
    Billings, MT $111,110

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $100,940
    Civil Engineers $100,280
    Mechanical Engineers $100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $79,240
    Electrical Engineers $109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $76,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Environmental Engineers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Engineers in Chicago, IL-IN is $51.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.63 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Environmental Engineers salaries?

    The median Environmental Engineers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 3.2% above the national median of $104,170. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Environmental Engineers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Environmental Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $71,330 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $90,030.