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Entry Level Civil Engineer Jobs in Champaign, IL

ARA

Entry-Level Civil Engineer - Pavements

Champaign, IL · On-site

$65.74K - $77.25K/yr

ARA is seeking an entry-level civil engineer to work full-time in our Transportation Division, Support Services Directorate, located in Champaign, IL. The Support Services Directorate has been ...

ARA

Entry-Level Civil Engineer - Pavements

Champaign, IL

$65.74K - $77.25K/yr

ARA is seeking an entry-level civil engineer to work full-time in our Transportation Division, Support Services Directorate, located in Champaign, IL. The Support Services Directorate has been ...

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Entry Level Civil Engineer information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$40.6K

$73.6K

$121.2K

How much do entry level civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level civil engineer in Champaign, IL is $73,635.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,100.00 and $88,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry Level Civil Engineer Do?

An entry-level civil engineer performs a variety of duties related to designing and constructing infrastructure or public works systems, such as public buildings, highways, bridges, sewer systems, dams, viaducts, and other large structures. As an entry-level engineer, you help draft blueprints, take surveys of building sites, perform risk analysis, map projects, and perform research into public records and other documents pertaining to the project. You may also help draw up budgets and assess the costs of projects. You typically work under the supervision of lead engineers and project managers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Civil Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Civil Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, strong analytical skills, and foundational knowledge of engineering principles. Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software, civil engineering modeling tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for accurately designing infrastructure, collaborating with diverse project teams, and ensuring projects are completed safely and efficiently.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an Entry Level Civil Engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As an Entry Level Civil Engineer, you will typically assist with tasks such as drafting design plans, preparing reports, conducting field inspections, and supporting senior engineers on larger projects. Early on, you may work on site development, transportation, or water resources projects, helping with data collection, calculations, and creating construction documents. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including surveyors, architects, and contractors—is common, and you’ll likely be mentored by experienced engineers to build your technical and project management skills. This exposure provides a solid foundation for career growth and deeper involvement in project coordination over time.

What is the difference between Entry Level Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineering Technician?

AspectEntry Level Civil EngineerCivil Engineering Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in civil engineering or related fieldAssociate's degree or technical diploma in civil engineering technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, project management, site supervisionAssisting engineers with surveying, drafting, and data collection
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, construction companies, government agenciesConstruction firms, consulting firms, public works departments

Entry Level Civil Engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree and focus on design, planning, and project management, while Civil Engineering Technicians usually have an associate degree and support engineers with technical tasks like surveying and drafting. Both roles are essential in civil projects but differ in education requirements and daily responsibilities.

More about Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL? The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL? For Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs? Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Entry Level Civil Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Civil Engineer job openings in Champaign, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $73,635 per year, or $35.4 per hour.

Entry-Level Civil Engineer - Pavements

ARA Brand

Champaign, IL

$65.74K - $77.25K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Entry-Level Civil Engineer – Pavements

ARA is seeking an entry-level civil engineer to work full-time in our Transportation Division, Support Services Directorate, located in Champaign, IL. The Support Services Directorate has been growing our pavement marking consulting and research services and also supports our core business centers on pavement engineering. We are looking for an engineer who is passionate about this type of work.

What you will do as an entry-level civil engineer:

As an entry-level civil engineer in our Support Services Directorate, you may participate in field data collection and analysis (e.g., pavement marking retroreflectivity testing, manual and automated condition surveys, deflection testing, and friction testing), pavement management system implementation, and other pavement/asset infrastructure engineering efforts. All of our engineers must be able to work both independently and as part of a project team to apply engineering principles, theories, and concepts to job assignments.

Entry-level civil engineer requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited U.S. institution.
  • 2+ years of relevant experience or advanced degree focusing on pavement engineering, pavement design, or pavement evaluation.
  • Demonstrated understanding of pavement engineering.
  • Strong writing, presentation, and organizational skills.
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products.

Entry-level civil engineer preferred knowledge/skills:

  • Pavement marking retroreflectivity and condition assessment and analysis.
  • Geographic information systems (GIS).
  • Asset management (including assets beyond pavements).
  • Statistics and data analysis, including experience with Python, R, or any equivalent statistical software package.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $65,740 to $77,250, depending on education and experience. ARA also offers competitive benefits that address our employees' needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits.

About ARA:

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs more than 2,200 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in civil technologies, computer software and simulation, defense technologies, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for pavement analysis, environmental site characterization, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company's success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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