Civil Engineer Salary

Ballwin vs St. Louis: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Ballwin, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$81,792
$39.33/hr
St. Louis, MO
$99,377
$47.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$81,792$99,377
Hourly Rate$39.33$47.77
Entry Level (P10)$56,668$69,286
25th Percentile$64,913$80,216
75th Percentile$104,085$126,358
Top Earner (P90)$126,778$144,154
Total Employed43,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($81,792) and St. Louis ($99,377) civil engineer salaries.BallwinSt. LouisMedian Salary$81,792$99,377Entry Level (P10)$56,668$69,286Top Earner (P90)$126,778$144,154US Median $103,492

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and St. Louis is $17,585 (21.50%). St. Louis's median is -3.98% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $70,110,St. Louis spans $74,868. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$56,668
P25$64,913
Median$81,792
P75$104,085
P90 (Top)$126,778
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$69,286
P25$80,216
Median$99,377
P75$126,358
P90 (Top)$144,154

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($104,511 effective) pays 14.49% more than Ballwin ($91,286 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $81,792
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $91,286
St. Louis
Nominal: $99,377
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $104,511

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,377/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,154)
  • Larger job market (3,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,511)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Ballwin grew 5.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.0% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+5.5%

$75,568 (2024) → $79,696 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+14.0%

$84,970 (2019) → $96,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Ballwin or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median civil engineer salary at $99,377/year, compared to Ballwin at $81,792/year — a difference of $17,585 (21.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and St. Louis?

Ballwin civil engineers earn $39.33/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $47.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to St. Louis as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $91,286, St. Louis = $104,511), job availability (4 vs 3,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Ballwin vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $56,668 in Ballwin and $69,286 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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