Civil Engineer Salary

Cleveland vs Findlay: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$98,720
$47.47/hr
Findlay, OH
$93,878
$45.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHFindlay, OH
Median Salary$98,720$93,878
Hourly Rate$47.47$45.14
Entry Level (P10)$68,690$66,677
25th Percentile$80,862$75,713
75th Percentile$121,073$118,614
Top Earner (P90)$139,905$145,511
Total Employed1,7708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($98,720) and Findlay ($93,878) civil engineer salaries.ClevelandFindlayMedian Salary$98,720$93,878Entry Level (P10)$68,690$66,677Top Earner (P90)$139,905$145,511US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Findlay is $4,842 (5.16%). 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,Findlay spans $78,834. Findlay 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
Findlay
P10 (Entry)$66,677
P25$75,713
Median$93,878
P75$118,614
P90 (Top)$145,511

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($105,107 effective) pays 1.55% more than Findlay ($103,504 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $98,720
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $105,107
Findlay
Nominal: $93,878
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $103,504

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 Findlay if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,511)
  • 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 Findlay over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+20.2%

$80,050 (2019) → $96,190 (2025)

Findlay, OH

+15.3%

$79,351 (2024) → $91,472 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Cleveland or Findlay?

Cleveland has a higher median civil engineer salary at $98,720/year, compared to Findlay at $93,878/year — a difference of $4,842 (5.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Findlay?

Cleveland civil engineers earn $47.47/hr while Findlay hygienists earn $45.14/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Findlay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $105,107, Findlay = $103,504), job availability (1,770 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $68,690 in Cleveland and $66,677 in Findlay. The Cleveland 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