Civil Engineer Salary

Kansas City vs Webster Groves: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Kansas City, MO
$101,460
$48.78/hr
Webster Groves, MO
$81,963
$39.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOWebster Groves, MO
Median Salary$101,460$81,963
Hourly Rate$48.78$39.41
Entry Level (P10)$69,829$58,867
25th Percentile$80,852$66,274
75th Percentile$130,617$101,243
Top Earner (P90)$159,189$122,210
Total Employed3,2306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($101,460) and Webster Groves ($81,963) civil engineer salaries.Kansas CityWebster GrovesMedian Salary$101,460$81,963Entry Level (P10)$69,829$58,867Top Earner (P90)$159,189$122,210US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kansas City and Webster Groves is $19,497 (23.79%). 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,Webster Groves spans $63,343. 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
Webster Groves
P10 (Entry)$58,867
P25$66,274
Median$81,963
P75$101,243
P90 (Top)$122,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($109,636 effective) pays 19.85% more than Webster Groves ($91,477 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $101,460
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $109,636
Webster Groves
Nominal: $81,963
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $91,477

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 Webster Groves 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 Webster Groves over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+33.0%

$74,320 (2019) → $98,860 (2025)

Webster Groves, MO

+5.5%

$75,727 (2024) → $79,863 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Kansas City or Webster Groves?

Kansas City has a higher median civil engineer salary at $101,460/year, compared to Webster Groves at $81,963/year — a difference of $19,497 (23.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Webster Groves?

Kansas City civil engineers earn $48.78/hr while Webster Groves hygienists earn $39.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Webster Groves as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Webster Groves. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $109,636, Webster Groves = $91,477), job availability (3,230 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Kansas City vs Webster Groves?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $69,829 in Kansas City and $58,867 in Webster Groves. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

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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