Civil Engineer Salary

Baton Rouge vs Bossier City: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Bossier City, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$115,387
$55.48/hr
Bossier City, LA
$99,536
$47.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LABossier City, LA
Median Salary$115,387$99,536
Hourly Rate$55.48$47.86
Entry Level (P10)$73,883$69,071
25th Percentile$84,331$79,513
75th Percentile$136,200$127,406
Top Earner (P90)$168,744$154,281
Total Employed1,14016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($115,387) and Bossier City ($99,536) civil engineer salaries.Baton RougeBossier CityMedian Salary$115,387$99,536Entry Level (P10)$73,883$69,071Top Earner (P90)$168,744$154,281US Median $103,492

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bossier City.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Bossier City is $15,851 (15.92%). Baton Rouge's median is +11.49% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $94,861,Bossier City spans $85,210. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$73,883
P25$84,331
Median$115,387
P75$136,200
P90 (Top)$168,744
Bossier City
P10 (Entry)$69,071
P25$79,513
Median$99,536
P75$127,406
P90 (Top)$154,281

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($127,106 effective) pays 15.31% more than Bossier City ($110,228 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $115,387
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $127,106
Bossier City
Nominal: $99,536
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $110,228

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,387/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($168,744)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,106)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Bossier City if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Baton Rouge grew 21.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Bossier City over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+21.3%

$92,720 (2019) → $112,430 (2025)

Bossier City, LA

+19.8%

$80,939 (2024) → $96,985 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Baton Rouge or Bossier City?

Baton Rouge has a higher median civil engineer salary at $115,387/year, compared to Bossier City at $99,536/year — a difference of $15,851 (15.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Bossier City?

Baton Rouge civil engineers earn $55.48/hr while Bossier City hygienists earn $47.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Bossier City as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Bossier City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $127,106, Bossier City = $110,228), job availability (1,140 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Baton Rouge vs Bossier City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $73,883 in Baton Rouge and $69,071 in Bossier City. The Baton Rouge 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