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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Structural Engineer in Illinois is $126,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Specialist Structural Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Specialist Structural Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $136,500 | $11,375 | $2,625 | $66 |
| Average | $126,400 | $10,533 | $2,431 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,800 | $9,817 | $2,265 | $57 |
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. - Elgin, IL
Brindley Engineering - Lisle, IL
DH Glabe & Associates - Chicago, IL
M2 Engineering LLC - Chicago, IL
A Specialist Structural 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 a Specialist Structural 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 Structural Engineer | 0-2 years | $75,584 |
| Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering | 2-4 years | $88,903 |
| Senior Structural Engineer | 4-7 years | $107,864 |
| Specialist Structural Engineer | 7+ years | $126,340 |
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 Specialist Structural 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:
Specialist Structural Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $137,476. While startup companies pay approximate $116,623.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $116,623 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $123,253 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $132,851 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $137,476 |
For Specialist Structural Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Structural Engineer positions in MFG Durable or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Structural Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $189,600 | $91.0 | 50% |
| Business Services | $151,680 | $73.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Specialist Structural 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 | $136,500 | $11,375 | $2,625 | $66 |
| Average | $126,400 | $10,533 | $2,431 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,800 | $9,817 | $2,265 | $57 |
For a Specialist Structural Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Infrastructure Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,890 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Specialist Structural Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
ATMI PRECAST
Aurora, IL
ATMI PRECAST | Aurora, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. ATMI Precast is not your average construction company. For over 35 years, we have been designing, manufactur... more
6 Days Ago
BSI Engineering LLC
Oak Brook, IL
BSI Engineering LLC | Oak Brook, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Structural Engineer. Your Role at BSI. A key member of our Civil/Structural team, the Structural Engineer possesses stron... more
7 Days Ago
SCOT FORGE
Spring Grove, IL
SCOT FORGE | Spring Grove, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Scot Forge is seeking to hire an experienced Structural focused Engineer to take the lead on the charge towards many expa... more
8 Days Ago
Rapido Talent
Spring Grove, IL
Rapido Talent | Spring Grove, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. Our client is a well-established, employee-owned industrial manufacturing organization with over a cent... more
8 Days Ago
Veenstra & Kimm Inc
Springfield, IL
Veenstra & Kimm Inc | Springfield, IL
Job Description. Job Description. POSITION DESCRIPTION. We are currently seeking a full-time Structural Engineer to join our team. Our team works with priv... more
8 Days Ago
Sterling Engineering Inc.
Elk Grove Village, IL
Sterling Engineering Inc. | Elk Grove Village, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Title. Structural Engineer. Location. Elk Grove Village, IL. Hire Type. Direct Hire. Compensation. $110,000 to $130,000 (... more
8 Days Ago
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