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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineering in Illinois is $74,493 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Cost Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cost Engineering Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $81,038 | $6,753 | $1,558 | $39 |
| Average | $74,493 | $6,208 | $1,433 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,764 | $5,647 | $1,303 | $33 |
Clayco - SANTA TERESA, NM
Clayco - PHOENIX, AZ
The Lane Construction Corporation - RENTON, WA
Clayco - HOBART, IN
A Cost Engineering'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 Cost Engineering'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cost Engi... Level Cost Engineering | $74,960 |
| Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering | $96,166 |
| Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering | $108,277 |
| Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering | $143,587 |
| Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering | $169,478 |
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 Cost Engineerings. 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:
For Cost Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Cost Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $89,392 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $89,392 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $85,667 | $41.0 | 15% |
| Insurance | $85,667 | $41.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $85,667 | $41.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Cost Engineering'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 | $81,038 | $6,753 | $1,558 | $39 |
| Average | $74,493 | $6,208 | $1,433 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,764 | $5,647 | $1,303 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cost Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Clayco
HOBART, IN
Clayco | HOBART, IN
About Us. Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers... more
3 Days Ago
Level 10 Construction
SUNNYVALE, CA
Level 10 Construction | SUNNYVALE, CA
We are looking for a flexible, detail-oriented team player for our Sunnyvale office with the ability to manage multiple tasks, produce quality work, and co... more
3 Days Ago
Clayco
BRIDGEPORT, AL
Clayco | BRIDGEPORT, AL
About Us. Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers... more
4 Days Ago
Clayco
SOUTH BEND, IN
Clayco | SOUTH BEND, IN
About Us. Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers... more
4 Days Ago
The Concord Group
CHICAGO, IL
The Concord Group | CHICAGO, IL
RECRUITERS PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS POST. WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ELECTRICAL COST ESTIMATOR IN CHICAGO, IL. The Concord Group (Concord) is a leading dev... more
4 Days Ago
Clayco
SANTA TERESA, NM
Clayco | SANTA TERESA, NM
About Us. Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers... more
5 Days Ago
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