Civil Engineer Salary

Atlantic City vs Cherry Hill: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Cherry Hill, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$101,973
$49.03/hr
Cherry Hill, NJ
$115,826
$55.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJCherry Hill, NJ
Median Salary$101,973$115,826
Hourly Rate$49.03$55.69
Entry Level (P10)$69,634$79,500
25th Percentile$80,565$92,137
75th Percentile$129,899$148,257
Top Earner (P90)$171,043$179,531
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($101,973) and Cherry Hill ($115,826) civil engineer salaries.Atlantic CityCherry HillMedian Salary$101,973$115,826Entry Level (P10)$69,634$79,500Top Earner (P90)$171,043$179,531US Median $103,492

Verdict

Cherry Hill, NJ offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Cherry Hill is $13,853 (13.58%). Cherry Hill's median is +11.92% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $101,409,Cherry Hill spans $100,031. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$69,634
P25$80,565
Median$101,973
P75$129,899
P90 (Top)$171,043
Cherry Hill
P10 (Entry)$79,500
P25$92,137
Median$115,826
P75$148,257
P90 (Top)$179,531

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($103,152 effective) pays 2.59% more than Cherry Hill ($100,543 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $101,973
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $103,152
Cherry Hill
Nominal: $115,826
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $100,543

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,152)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Cherry Hill if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,826/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($179,531)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Atlantic City grew 25.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.3% growth in Cherry Hill over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+25.6%

$79,100 (2019) → $99,360 (2025)

Cherry Hill, NJ

+-12.3%

$128,705 (2024) → $112,858 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Atlantic City or Cherry Hill?

Cherry Hill has a higher median civil engineer salary at $115,826/year, compared to Atlantic City at $101,973/year — a difference of $13,853 (13.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Cherry Hill?

Atlantic City civil engineers earn $49.03/hr while Cherry Hill hygienists earn $55.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Cherry Hill as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Cherry Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $103,152, Cherry Hill = $100,543), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Atlantic City vs Cherry Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,634 in Atlantic City and $79,500 in Cherry Hill. The Cherry Hill area offers higher starting salaries.
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