As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Project Engineer in Illinois is $87,801 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, an Entry Level Project Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $95,901 | $7,992 | $1,844 | $46 |
| Average | $87,801 | $7,317 | $1,688 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,901 | $6,575 | $1,517 | $38 |
B-O-F Corporation - Aurora, IL
Quigg Engineering Inc. - Springfield, IL
Sargent Lundy - Chicago, IL
Emonics LLC - Chicago, IL
An Entry Level Project Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Project Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Project Engineer | 0-2 years | $87,772 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management II | 2-4 years | $99,940 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management III | 4-7 years | $119,095 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management IV | 7+ years | $136,247 |
| Engineering Program/Project Management V | 7-10 years | $159,910 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Level Project Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Understanding how an Entry Level Project Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $95,901 | $7,992 | $1,844 | $46 |
| Average | $87,801 | $7,317 | $1,688 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,901 | $6,575 | $1,517 | $38 |
For an Entry Level Project Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Engineering Program/Project Management II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $100,000 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Project Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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