Civil Engineer Salary

Coralville vs Davenport: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Coralville, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coralville, IA
$94,138
$45.26/hr
Davenport, IA
$95,395
$45.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoralville, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$94,138$95,395
Hourly Rate$45.26$45.87
Entry Level (P10)$66,034$70,702
25th Percentile$74,972$79,641
75th Percentile$115,205$120,867
Top Earner (P90)$145,914$140,839
Total Employed6410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coralville ($94,138) and Davenport ($95,395) civil engineer salaries.CoralvilleDavenportMedian Salary$94,138$95,395Entry Level (P10)$66,034$70,702Top Earner (P90)$145,914$140,839US Median $103,492

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Coralville.

The salary gap between Coralville and Davenport is $1,257 (1.34%). Davenport's median is -7.82% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coralville spans $79,880,Davenport spans $70,137. Coralville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Coralville
P10 (Entry)$66,034
P25$74,972
Median$94,138
P75$115,205
P90 (Top)$145,914
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$70,702
P25$79,641
Median$95,395
P75$120,867
P90 (Top)$140,839

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($107,090 effective) pays 2.84% more than Coralville ($104,135 effective).

Coralville
Nominal: $94,138
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $104,135
Davenport
Nominal: $95,395
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $107,090

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coralville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,914)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,395/year)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,090)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Coralville grew 21.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Coralville, IA

+21.2%

$75,667 (2024) → $91,726 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+4.9%

$88,600 (2019) → $92,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Coralville or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median civil engineer salary at $95,395/year, compared to Coralville at $94,138/year — a difference of $1,257 (1.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coralville and Davenport?

Coralville civil engineers earn $45.26/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $45.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coralville to Davenport as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coralville and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coralville = $104,135, Davenport = $107,090), job availability (6 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Coralville vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,034 in Coralville and $70,702 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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