Civil Engineer Salary

Cincinnati vs Parma: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Parma, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$100,803
$48.46/hr
Parma, OH
$99,511
$47.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHParma, OH
Median Salary$100,803$99,511
Hourly Rate$48.46$47.85
Entry Level (P10)$66,904$66,621
25th Percentile$79,815$77,591
75th Percentile$127,415$126,361
Top Earner (P90)$141,209$154,243
Total Employed2,11012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($100,803) and Parma ($99,511) civil engineer salaries.CincinnatiParmaMedian Salary$100,803$99,511Entry Level (P10)$66,904$66,621Top Earner (P90)$141,209$154,243US Median $103,492

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Parma.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Parma is $1,292 (1.30%). Cincinnati's median is -2.60% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $74,305,Parma spans $87,622. Parma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$66,904
P25$79,815
Median$100,803
P75$127,415
P90 (Top)$141,209
Parma
P10 (Entry)$66,621
P25$77,591
Median$99,511
P75$126,361
P90 (Top)$154,243

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Parma ($109,714 effective) pays 3.80% more than Cincinnati ($105,697 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $100,803
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $105,697
Parma
Nominal: $99,511
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $109,714

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,803/year)
  • Larger job market (2,110 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Parma if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($154,243)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,714)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Cincinnati grew 23.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.3% growth in Parma over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+23.4%

$79,620 (2019) → $98,220 (2025)

Parma, OH

+15.3%

$84,113 (2024) → $96,961 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Cincinnati or Parma?

Cincinnati has a higher median civil engineer salary at $100,803/year, compared to Parma at $99,511/year — a difference of $1,292 (1.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Parma?

Cincinnati civil engineers earn $48.46/hr while Parma hygienists earn $47.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Parma as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Parma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $105,697, Parma = $109,714), job availability (2,110 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Cincinnati vs Parma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,904 in Cincinnati and $66,621 in Parma. The Cincinnati 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