Civil Engineer Salary

Clinton Township vs Detroit: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Clinton Township, MI and Detroit, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clinton Township, MI
$100,045
$48.10/hr
Detroit, MI
$94,984
$45.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClinton Township, MIDetroit, MI
Median Salary$100,045$94,984
Hourly Rate$48.10$45.67
Entry Level (P10)$66,130$65,683
25th Percentile$75,728$78,307
75th Percentile$128,058$109,783
Top Earner (P90)$155,070$133,111
Total Employed213,870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clinton Township ($100,045) and Detroit ($94,984) civil engineer salaries.Clinton TownshipDetroitMedian Salary$100,045$94,984Entry Level (P10)$66,130$65,683Top Earner (P90)$155,070$133,111US Median $103,492

Verdict

Clinton Township, MI offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Detroit.

The salary gap between Clinton Township and Detroit is $5,061 (5.33%). Clinton Township's median is -3.33% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clinton Township spans $88,940,Detroit spans $67,428. Clinton Township has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clinton Township
P10 (Entry)$66,130
P25$75,728
Median$100,045
P75$128,058
P90 (Top)$155,070
Detroit
P10 (Entry)$65,683
P25$78,307
Median$94,984
P75$109,783
P90 (Top)$133,111

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clinton Township ($107,344 effective) pays 13.35% more than Detroit ($94,702 effective).

Clinton Township
Nominal: $100,045
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $107,344
Detroit
Nominal: $94,984
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $94,702

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clinton Township if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,045/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($155,070)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,344)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Detroit if…

  • Larger job market (3,870 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Clinton Township grew 10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Detroit over the same period.

Clinton Township, MI

+10.0%

$88,656 (2024) → $97,481 (2025)

Detroit, MI

+21.4%

$76,240 (2019) → $92,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Clinton Township or Detroit?

Clinton Township has a higher median civil engineer salary at $100,045/year, compared to Detroit at $94,984/year — a difference of $5,061 (5.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clinton Township and Detroit?

Clinton Township civil engineers earn $48.10/hr while Detroit hygienists earn $45.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clinton Township to Detroit as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clinton Township and Detroit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clinton Township = $107,344, Detroit = $94,702), job availability (21 vs 3,870 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Clinton Township vs Detroit?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,130 in Clinton Township and $65,683 in Detroit. The Clinton Township 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