Civil Engineer Salary

Hollywood vs Tampa: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Hollywood, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hollywood, FL
$100,505
$48.32/hr
Tampa, FL
$103,215
$49.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHollywood, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$100,505$103,215
Hourly Rate$48.32$49.62
Entry Level (P10)$70,268$73,514
25th Percentile$80,852$77,424
75th Percentile$128,646$134,353
Top Earner (P90)$155,782$174,584
Total Employed374,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hollywood ($100,505) and Tampa ($103,215) civil engineer salaries.HollywoodTampaMedian Salary$100,505$103,215Entry Level (P10)$70,268$73,514Top Earner (P90)$155,782$174,584US Median $103,492

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hollywood.

The salary gap between Hollywood and Tampa is $2,710 (2.70%). Tampa's median is -0.27% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hollywood spans $85,514,Tampa spans $101,070. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Hollywood
P10 (Entry)$70,268
P25$80,852
Median$100,505
P75$128,646
P90 (Top)$155,782
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$73,514
P25$77,424
Median$103,215
P75$134,353
P90 (Top)$174,584

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($102,304 effective) pays 2.60% more than Hollywood ($99,707 effective).

Hollywood
Nominal: $100,505
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $99,707
Tampa
Nominal: $103,215
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $102,304

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hollywood if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,215/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,584)
  • Larger job market (4,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,304)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Hollywood grew 5.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.4% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Hollywood, FL

+5.0%

$93,240 (2024) → $97,929 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+23.4%

$81,510 (2019) → $100,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Hollywood or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median civil engineer salary at $103,215/year, compared to Hollywood at $100,505/year — a difference of $2,710 (2.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hollywood and Tampa?

Hollywood civil engineers earn $48.32/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $49.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hollywood to Tampa as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hollywood and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hollywood = $99,707, Tampa = $102,304), job availability (37 vs 4,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Hollywood vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $70,268 in Hollywood and $73,514 in Tampa. The Tampa 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