Civil Engineer Salary

Avon Lake vs Cleveland: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Avon Lake, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon Lake, OH
$90,945
$43.72/hr
Cleveland, OH
$98,720
$47.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon Lake, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$90,945$98,720
Hourly Rate$43.72$47.47
Entry Level (P10)$66,506$68,690
25th Percentile$74,491$80,862
75th Percentile$115,080$121,073
Top Earner (P90)$137,023$139,905
Total Employed51,770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon Lake ($90,945) and Cleveland ($98,720) civil engineer salaries.Avon LakeClevelandMedian Salary$90,945$98,720Entry Level (P10)$66,506$68,690Top Earner (P90)$137,023$139,905US Median $103,492

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon Lake.

The salary gap between Avon Lake and Cleveland is $7,775 (8.55%). Cleveland's median is -4.61% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon Lake spans $70,517,Cleveland spans $71,215. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Avon Lake
P10 (Entry)$66,506
P25$74,491
Median$90,945
P75$115,080
P90 (Top)$137,023
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$68,690
P25$80,862
Median$98,720
P75$121,073
P90 (Top)$139,905

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($105,107 effective) pays 4.82% more than Avon Lake ($100,270 effective).

Avon Lake
Nominal: $90,945
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $100,270
Cleveland
Nominal: $98,720
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $105,107

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon Lake if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,720/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,905)
  • Larger job market (1,770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,107)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Avon Lake grew 15.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Avon Lake, OH

+15.3%

$76,872 (2024) → $88,614 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+20.2%

$80,050 (2019) → $96,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Avon Lake or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median civil engineer salary at $98,720/year, compared to Avon Lake at $90,945/year — a difference of $7,775 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon Lake and Cleveland?

Avon Lake civil engineers earn $43.72/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $47.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon Lake to Cleveland as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon Lake and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon Lake = $100,270, Cleveland = $105,107), job availability (5 vs 1,770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Avon Lake vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,506 in Avon Lake and $68,690 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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