Civil Engineer Salary

Kansas City vs St. Peters: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Kansas City, MO and St. Peters, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$101,460
$48.78/hr
St. Peters, MO
$86,459
$41.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOSt. Peters, MO
Median Salary$101,460$86,459
Hourly Rate$48.78$41.57
Entry Level (P10)$69,829$58,590
25th Percentile$80,852$67,945
75th Percentile$130,617$110,667
Top Earner (P90)$159,189$134,011
Total Employed3,2309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($101,460) and St. Peters ($86,459) civil engineer salaries.Kansas CitySt. PetersMedian Salary$101,460$86,459Entry Level (P10)$69,829$58,590Top Earner (P90)$159,189$134,011US Median $103,492

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Peters.

The salary gap between Kansas City and St. Peters is $15,001 (17.35%). Kansas City's median is -1.96% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $89,360,St. Peters spans $75,421. Kansas City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$69,829
P25$80,852
Median$101,460
P75$130,617
P90 (Top)$159,189
St. Peters
P10 (Entry)$58,590
P25$67,945
Median$86,459
P75$110,667
P90 (Top)$134,011

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($109,636 effective) pays 13.62% more than St. Peters ($96,494 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $101,460
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $109,636
St. Peters
Nominal: $86,459
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $96,494

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,189)
  • Larger job market (3,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,636)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Peters if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Kansas City grew 33.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.5% growth in St. Peters over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+33.0%

$74,320 (2019) → $98,860 (2025)

St. Peters, MO

+5.5%

$79,880 (2024) → $84,243 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Kansas City or St. Peters?

Kansas City has a higher median civil engineer salary at $101,460/year, compared to St. Peters at $86,459/year — a difference of $15,001 (17.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and St. Peters?

Kansas City civil engineers earn $48.78/hr while St. Peters hygienists earn $41.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to St. Peters as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and St. Peters. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $109,636, St. Peters = $96,494), job availability (3,230 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Kansas City vs St. Peters?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,829 in Kansas City and $58,590 in St. Peters. The Kansas City 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