Civil Engineer Salary

Birmingham vs Prattville: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Birmingham, AL and Prattville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$99,982
$48.07/hr
Prattville, AL
$97,873
$47.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPrattville, AL
Median Salary$99,982$97,873
Hourly Rate$48.07$47.06
Entry Level (P10)$69,111$66,053
25th Percentile$80,349$76,379
75th Percentile$131,182$121,329
Top Earner (P90)$172,798$151,704
Total Employed1,0708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($99,982) and Prattville ($97,873) civil engineer salaries.BirminghamPrattvilleMedian Salary$99,982$97,873Entry Level (P10)$69,111$66,053Top Earner (P90)$172,798$151,704US Median $103,492

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prattville.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Prattville is $2,109 (2.15%). Birmingham's median is -3.39% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $103,687,Prattville spans $85,651. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$69,111
P25$80,349
Median$99,982
P75$131,182
P90 (Top)$172,798
Prattville
P10 (Entry)$66,053
P25$76,379
Median$97,873
P75$121,329
P90 (Top)$151,704

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prattville ($111,346 effective) pays 2.06% more than Birmingham ($109,098 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $99,982
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $109,098
Prattville
Nominal: $97,873
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $111,346

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,982/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,798)
  • Larger job market (1,070 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Prattville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,346)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Birmingham grew 27.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.4% growth in Prattville over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+27.9%

$76,140 (2019) → $97,420 (2025)

Prattville, AL

+30.4%

$73,120 (2024) → $95,365 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Birmingham or Prattville?

Birmingham has a higher median civil engineer salary at $99,982/year, compared to Prattville at $97,873/year — a difference of $2,109 (2.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Prattville?

Birmingham civil engineers earn $48.07/hr while Prattville hygienists earn $47.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Prattville as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Prattville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $109,098, Prattville = $111,346), job availability (1,070 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Birmingham vs Prattville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,111 in Birmingham and $66,053 in Prattville. The Birmingham 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