Civil Engineer Salary

Detroit vs Roseville: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Detroit, MI
$94,984
$45.67/hr
Roseville, MI
$94,251
$45.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIRoseville, MI
Median Salary$94,984$94,251
Hourly Rate$45.67$45.31
Entry Level (P10)$65,683$62,776
25th Percentile$78,307$73,011
75th Percentile$109,783$118,266
Top Earner (P90)$133,111$145,134
Total Employed3,87011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($94,984) and Roseville ($94,251) civil engineer salaries.DetroitRosevilleMedian Salary$94,984$94,251Entry Level (P10)$65,683$62,776Top Earner (P90)$133,111$145,134US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Detroit and Roseville is $733 (0.78%). Detroit's median is -8.22% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $67,428,Roseville spans $82,358. Roseville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$65,683
P25$78,307
Median$94,984
P75$109,783
P90 (Top)$133,111
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$62,776
P25$73,011
Median$94,251
P75$118,266
P90 (Top)$145,134

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roseville ($101,128 effective) pays 6.79% more than Detroit ($94,702 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $94,984
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $94,702
Roseville
Nominal: $94,251
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $101,128

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,984/year)
  • Larger job market (3,870 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Roseville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,134)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,128)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Detroit grew 21.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+21.4%

$76,240 (2019) → $92,550 (2025)

Roseville, MI

+10.0%

$83,521 (2024) → $91,836 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Detroit or Roseville?

Detroit has a higher median civil engineer salary at $94,984/year, compared to Roseville at $94,251/year — a difference of $733 (0.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Roseville?

Detroit civil engineers earn $45.67/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $45.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Roseville as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $94,702, Roseville = $101,128), job availability (3,870 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $65,683 in Detroit and $62,776 in Roseville. The Detroit 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