Civil Engineer Salary

Fort Collins vs Greeley: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Fort Collins, CO and Greeley, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$97,211
$46.74/hr
Greeley, CO
$95,117
$45.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, COGreeley, CO
Median Salary$97,211$95,117
Hourly Rate$46.74$45.73
Entry Level (P10)$69,439$75,484
25th Percentile$82,751$80,893
75th Percentile$128,144$120,580
Top Earner (P90)$150,640$135,523
Total Employed680370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($97,211) and Greeley ($95,117) civil engineer salaries.Fort CollinsGreeleyMedian Salary$97,211$95,117Entry Level (P10)$69,439$75,484Top Earner (P90)$150,640$135,523US Median $103,492

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greeley.

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Greeley is $2,094 (2.20%). Fort Collins's median is -6.07% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Collins spans $81,201,Greeley spans $60,039. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$69,439
P25$82,751
Median$97,211
P75$128,144
P90 (Top)$150,640
Greeley
P10 (Entry)$75,484
P25$80,893
Median$95,117
P75$120,580
P90 (Top)$135,523

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($96,127 effective) pays 1.24% more than Greeley ($94,950 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $97,211
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $96,127
Greeley
Nominal: $95,117
CoL Index: 100.176
Adjusted: $94,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,211/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($150,640)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,127)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Greeley if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Fort Collins grew 26.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.8% growth in Greeley over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+26.8%

$74,700 (2019) → $94,720 (2025)

Greeley, CO

+25.8%

$73,650 (2019) → $92,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Fort Collins or Greeley?

Fort Collins has a higher median civil engineer salary at $97,211/year, compared to Greeley at $95,117/year — a difference of $2,094 (2.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Collins and Greeley?

Fort Collins civil engineers earn $46.74/hr while Greeley hygienists earn $45.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Collins to Greeley as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Greeley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $96,127, Greeley = $94,950), job availability (680 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Fort Collins vs Greeley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,439 in Fort Collins and $75,484 in Greeley. The Greeley 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