Salary Levels by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $48,000–$61,000 | ~$43,131 |
| Environmental Engineer II | $59,000–$78,000 | ~$53,185 |
| Senior Environmental Engineer | $77,000–$98,000 | ~$65,611 |
| Lead / Principal | $96,000–$130,000 | ~$82,288 |
Tax Breakdown at $74,000 (Bi-Weekly)
| Component | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $2,846.15 | $74,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax | −$303.62 | −$7,894 | 10.7% |
| IL State Income Tax | −$140.88 | −$3,663 | 5.0% |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | −$217.73 | −$5,661 | 7.6% |
| Net Take-Home | $2,184 | ~$56,782 | 76.7% |
What Drives Environmental Engineer Pay in Chicago
Environmental engineers in New York City address contaminated site remediation, air quality compliance, water and wastewater treatment, and climate resilience planning for a city with an enormous legacy of industrial contamination and an urgent need to adapt to rising seas. Post-Hurricane Sandy federal investment and ongoing climate resiliency programs have expanded the sector substantially.
NYC environmental engineers work on brownfield remediation for major development sites, CSO (combined sewer overflow) abatement for the city's waterways, PFAS contamination investigations, and billion-dollar coastal protection projects like the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. State and federal environmental regulations create consistent compliance work, and the NYC DEP's capital program provides sustained public sector employment. PE licensure is valued but not universally required.
- Remediation, air quality, or water/wastewater specialization
- PE licensure and LEED or CHMM certification
- Public agency vs. consulting firm vs. corporate environmental
- Brownfield development and PFAS remediation experience
Top Chicago Employers
Major employers hiring environmental engineers in Chicago include: Boeing Chicago, Citadel, Northwestern Medicine, CME Group, United Airlines.
Tax note: An environmental engineer earning $92,000 in NYC takes home approximately $60,000–$64,000 after taxes — those working in the public sector for DEP or DEC receive pension benefits and job security that partially offset the 10–15% salary gap versus private consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
An environmental engineer earning $74,000 in Chicago takes home approximately $56,782 per year, or $2,184 per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.3%.
Chicago environmental engineer salaries range from $48,000–$61,000 at entry level to $96,000–$130,000 for senior professionals. The median mid-career salary is approximately $74,000.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation is currently the fastest-growing specialty, driven by new EPA drinking water limits and New York State's aggressive regulatory program. Coastal resilience and climate adaptation engineering is also growing rapidly following Hurricane Sandy and the launch of major city-funded protection projects. Engineers with experience in both contamination assessment and green infrastructure are especially sought after.
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