Civil Engineer Salary

Atlanta vs Brunswick: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Atlanta, GA and Brunswick, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$90,314
$43.42/hr
Brunswick, GA
$78,184
$37.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GABrunswick, GA
Median Salary$90,314$78,184
Hourly Rate$43.42$37.59
Entry Level (P10)$65,488$59,125
25th Percentile$80,185$61,260
75th Percentile$119,492$103,974
Top Earner (P90)$164,362$136,477
Total Employed6,27040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($90,314) and Brunswick ($78,184) civil engineer salaries.AtlantaBrunswickMedian Salary$90,314$78,184Entry Level (P10)$65,488$59,125Top Earner (P90)$164,362$136,477US Median $103,492

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Brunswick is $12,130 (15.51%). Atlanta's median is -12.73% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $98,874,Brunswick spans $77,352. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$65,488
P25$80,185
Median$90,314
P75$119,492
P90 (Top)$164,362
Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$59,125
P25$61,260
Median$78,184
P75$103,974
P90 (Top)$136,477

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($90,262 effective) pays 1.26% more than Brunswick ($89,141 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $90,314
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $90,262
Brunswick
Nominal: $78,184
CoL Index: 87.708
Adjusted: $89,141

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,314/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($164,362)
  • Larger job market (6,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,262)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Atlanta grew 15.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Brunswick over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+15.9%

$75,910 (2019) → $88,000 (2025)

Brunswick, GA

+3.0%

$73,970 (2019) → $76,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Atlanta or Brunswick?

Atlanta has a higher median civil engineer salary at $90,314/year, compared to Brunswick at $78,184/year — a difference of $12,130 (15.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Brunswick?

Atlanta civil engineers earn $43.42/hr while Brunswick hygienists earn $37.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Brunswick as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $90,262, Brunswick = $89,141), job availability (6,270 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Atlanta vs Brunswick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $65,488 in Atlanta and $59,125 in Brunswick. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JC

Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.

Career Analyst

Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov