Civil Engineer Salary

Cleveland vs Dublin: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$98,720
$47.47/hr
Dublin, OH
$94,820
$45.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHDublin, OH
Median Salary$98,720$94,820
Hourly Rate$47.47$45.59
Entry Level (P10)$68,690$68,884
25th Percentile$80,862$77,610
75th Percentile$121,073$117,347
Top Earner (P90)$139,905$146,971
Total Employed1,7709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($98,720) and Dublin ($94,820) civil engineer salaries.ClevelandDublinMedian Salary$98,720$94,820Entry Level (P10)$68,690$68,884Top Earner (P90)$139,905$146,971US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Dublin is $3,900 (4.11%). 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 Cleveland spans $71,215,Dublin spans $78,087. Dublin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$68,690
P25$80,862
Median$98,720
P75$121,073
P90 (Top)$139,905
Dublin
P10 (Entry)$68,884
P25$77,610
Median$94,820
P75$117,347
P90 (Top)$146,971

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($105,107 effective) pays 0.54% more than Dublin ($104,542 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $98,720
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $105,107
Dublin
Nominal: $94,820
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $104,542

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

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

Choose Dublin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($146,971)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Cleveland grew 20.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.3% growth in Dublin over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+20.2%

$80,050 (2019) → $96,190 (2025)

Dublin, OH

+15.3%

$80,147 (2024) → $92,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Cleveland or Dublin?

Cleveland has a higher median civil engineer salary at $98,720/year, compared to Dublin at $94,820/year — a difference of $3,900 (4.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Dublin?

Cleveland civil engineers earn $47.47/hr while Dublin hygienists earn $45.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Dublin as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Dublin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $105,107, Dublin = $104,542), job availability (1,770 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $68,690 in Cleveland and $68,884 in Dublin. The Dublin 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