Civil Engineer Salary

Las Vegas vs Sparks: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Las Vegas, NV and Sparks, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Las Vegas, NV
$108,901
$52.35/hr
Sparks, NV
$102,639
$49.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLas Vegas, NVSparks, NV
Median Salary$108,901$102,639
Hourly Rate$52.35$49.34
Entry Level (P10)$81,427$64,264
25th Percentile$87,236$82,989
75th Percentile$152,046$131,379
Top Earner (P90)$163,921$159,091
Total Employed2,24028
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Las Vegas ($108,901) and Sparks ($102,639) civil engineer salaries.Las VegasSparksMedian Salary$108,901$102,639Entry Level (P10)$81,427$64,264Top Earner (P90)$163,921$159,091US Median $103,492

Verdict

Las Vegas, NV offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sparks.

The salary gap between Las Vegas and Sparks is $6,262 (6.10%). Las Vegas's median is +5.23% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Las Vegas spans $82,494,Sparks spans $94,827. Sparks has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$81,427
P25$87,236
Median$108,901
P75$152,046
P90 (Top)$163,921
Sparks
P10 (Entry)$64,264
P25$82,989
Median$102,639
P75$131,379
P90 (Top)$159,091

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Vegas ($108,667 effective) pays 4.07% more than Sparks ($104,414 effective).

Las Vegas
Nominal: $108,901
CoL Index: 100.215
Adjusted: $108,667
Sparks
Nominal: $102,639
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $104,414

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Las Vegas if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($163,921)
  • Larger job market (2,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,667)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Sparks if…

  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Las Vegas grew 16.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Sparks over the same period.

Las Vegas, NV

+16.6%

$91,040 (2019) → $106,110 (2025)

Sparks, NV

+2.9%

$97,192 (2024) → $100,009 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Las Vegas or Sparks?

Las Vegas has a higher median civil engineer salary at $108,901/year, compared to Sparks at $102,639/year — a difference of $6,262 (6.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Las Vegas and Sparks?

Las Vegas civil engineers earn $52.35/hr while Sparks hygienists earn $49.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Las Vegas to Sparks as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Las Vegas and Sparks. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Las Vegas = $108,667, Sparks = $104,414), job availability (2,240 vs 28 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Las Vegas vs Sparks?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $81,427 in Las Vegas and $64,264 in Sparks. The Las Vegas area offers higher starting salaries.
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