Civil Engineer Salary

Cleveland vs Wadsworth: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$98,720
$47.47/hr
Wadsworth, OH
$91,011
$43.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWadsworth, OH
Median Salary$98,720$91,011
Hourly Rate$47.47$43.75
Entry Level (P10)$68,690$66,369
25th Percentile$80,862$74,609
75th Percentile$121,073$115,173
Top Earner (P90)$139,905$137,467
Total Employed1,7706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($98,720) and Wadsworth ($91,011) civil engineer salaries.ClevelandWadsworthMedian Salary$98,720$91,011Entry Level (P10)$68,690$66,369Top Earner (P90)$139,905$137,467US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Wadsworth is $7,709 (8.47%). 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,Wadsworth spans $71,098. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$68,690
P25$80,862
Median$98,720
P75$121,073
P90 (Top)$139,905
Wadsworth
P10 (Entry)$66,369
P25$74,609
Median$91,011
P75$115,173
P90 (Top)$137,467

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($105,107 effective) pays 4.75% more than Wadsworth ($100,343 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $98,720
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $105,107
Wadsworth
Nominal: $91,011
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $100,343

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,905)
  • Larger job market (1,770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,107)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Wadsworth if…

  • 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 Wadsworth over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+20.2%

$80,050 (2019) → $96,190 (2025)

Wadsworth, OH

+15.3%

$76,928 (2024) → $88,679 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Cleveland or Wadsworth?

Cleveland has a higher median civil engineer salary at $98,720/year, compared to Wadsworth at $91,011/year — a difference of $7,709 (8.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Wadsworth?

Cleveland civil engineers earn $47.47/hr while Wadsworth hygienists earn $43.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Wadsworth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $105,107, Wadsworth = $100,343), job availability (1,770 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $68,690 in Cleveland and $66,369 in Wadsworth. 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