Civil Engineer Salary

Houston vs Prosper: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Houston, TX and Prosper, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$103,605
$49.81/hr
Prosper, TX
$80,433
$38.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXProsper, TX
Median Salary$103,605$80,433
Hourly Rate$49.81$38.67
Entry Level (P10)$69,019$58,040
25th Percentile$82,114$65,545
75th Percentile$134,435$102,954
Top Earner (P90)$172,665$124,672
Total Employed12,1407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($103,605) and Prosper ($80,433) civil engineer salaries.HoustonProsperMedian Salary$103,605$80,433Entry Level (P10)$69,019$58,040Top Earner (P90)$172,665$124,672US Median $103,492

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prosper.

The salary gap between Houston and Prosper is $23,172 (28.81%). Houston's median is +0.11% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $103,646,Prosper spans $66,632. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$69,019
P25$82,114
Median$103,605
P75$134,435
P90 (Top)$172,665
Prosper
P10 (Entry)$58,040
P25$65,545
Median$80,433
P75$102,954
P90 (Top)$124,672

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($105,045 effective) pays 25.38% more than Prosper ($83,784 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $103,605
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $105,045
Prosper
Nominal: $80,433
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $83,784

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,605/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($172,665)
  • Larger job market (12,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,045)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Prosper if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Houston grew 4.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.8% growth in Prosper over the same period.

Houston, TX

+4.0%

$97,100 (2019) → $100,950 (2025)

Prosper, TX

+-18.8%

$96,528 (2024) → $78,372 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Houston or Prosper?

Houston has a higher median civil engineer salary at $103,605/year, compared to Prosper at $80,433/year — a difference of $23,172 (28.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Prosper?

Houston civil engineers earn $49.81/hr while Prosper hygienists earn $38.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Prosper as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Prosper. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $105,045, Prosper = $83,784), job availability (12,140 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Houston vs Prosper?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,019 in Houston and $58,040 in Prosper. The Houston 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