As of September 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Water Resources Engineer in Illinois is $71,378, equivalent to $34 per hour, $1,373 weekly, or $5,948 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Water Resources Engineer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Entry Level Water Resources Engineer in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $59,799 to $85,042. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($65,317) and 75th percentile ($78,530), while top earners (90th percentile) make $85,042 per year. This $13,213 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or AutoCAD, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Entry Level Water Resources Engineer often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 51 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Entry Level Water Resources Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
