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Entry Level Economic Development Jobs in Illinois

The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ... What you'll do As a Staff Engineer, you will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or ...

What you'll do You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

Municipal Engineer

Rockford, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

What you'll do You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

What you'll do You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

What you'll do You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

Staff Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$95 - $135/hr

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands‑on ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

New

What you'll do You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering ... The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ...

Staff Engineer

Rochelle, IL · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and ... What you'll do As a Staff Engineer, you will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or ...

Showing results 41-60

Entry Level Economic Development information

See Illinois salary details

$32.5K

$65.7K

$107.1K

How much do entry level economic development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level economic development in Illinois is $65,705.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,900.00 and $76,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level economic development?

An Entry Level Economic Development job involves supporting initiatives that promote economic growth in a community, region, or organization. Responsibilities may include conducting research, analyzing economic data, assisting with business outreach, and supporting development programs. Entry-level professionals often work with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private firms to help create jobs, attract investment, and improve local economies. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this role.

What typical projects or responsibilities will I handle as an entry level economic development professional?

As an Entry Level Economic Development professional, you’ll often assist with research and analysis of local economic trends, support grant writing or application initiatives, and help organize community outreach efforts. Your day may involve working with databases, preparing reports or presentations, and coordinating meetings with stakeholders such as local businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. You’ll likely collaborate with a team of experienced economic developers, learning the ropes and contributing to larger community improvement or business attraction projects. This hands-on experience helps build your understanding of economic development processes and sets a strong foundation for future career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level economic development position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Economic Development professional, you need a basic understanding of economic principles, market research, data analysis, and typically a bachelor’s degree in economics, business, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as Excel, GIS, or economic modeling tools) and CRM systems is an asset. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help you build relationships with stakeholders and adapt to varied project needs. These abilities are crucial for supporting community growth initiatives, analyzing trends, and contributing effectively to multi-disciplinary teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Economic Development jobs in Illinois?

For Entry Level Economic Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Economic Development jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Economic Development jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Economic Development jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Economic Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Economic Development job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,705 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Staff Engineer

Trilon

Rochelle, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Are you eager to work on diverse engineering projects? Fehr Graham is a fast-growing Midwest engineering environmental firm looking for a motivated Staff Engineer, who is eager to learn and work on everything from municipal engineering to environmental engineering projects. Here's the deal. We're all about shaping the future of our communities. We need an enthusiastic engineer eager to tackle a wide range of projects. If you're hungry for knowledge, ready to make a difference and dedicated to providing personalized attention to our clients, we want you on our team. 

Grow Your Career with
Blueprint

This role includes a guaranteed seat in Blueprint, our new early career leadership program for engineers looking to grow beyond the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on curriculum covering professional development, business acumen, and project delivery - including case studies, simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and concludes with an in-person capstone event where participants present their work and outline goals for the year ahead.
Your Future Starts With A Plan.

What's in it for you?
 We offer an exciting and engaging work environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. As one of our staff engineers, you'll have the chance to grow professionally and make a real impact on improving the communities where our clients live and work. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and building trust with our clients. We believe in the power of talented professionals who bring passion to their craft. 

What you'll do
As a Staff Engineer, you will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering services using prescribed methods. Besides working on specific and limited portions of an experienced engineer's assignments, you will also: 
      Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow standard office procedures through a series of related detailed steps or processes. 
      Work with clients and firm project managers to deliver projects with the highest quality - on time and on budget.
      Collaborate with and learn from fellow staff engineers, project engineers, environmental scientists and project managers. 
      Develop leadership skills that build autonomy.
What you'll get
You'll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:
  • Medical/dental/vision
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401K Retirement Plan
  • Profit-sharing bonus plan
  • Paid time off
  • An awesome work environment.  
Learn more about Fehr Graham's people, culture and projects on our website. 
#LI-HF1
Fehr Graham provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.