Civil Engineer Salary

Madison vs Menomonee Falls: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Madison, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$101,614
$48.85/hr
Menomonee Falls, WI
$94,727
$45.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMenomonee Falls, WI
Median Salary$101,614$94,727
Hourly Rate$48.85$45.55
Entry Level (P10)$74,899$64,630
25th Percentile$83,079$74,737
75th Percentile$125,711$120,117
Top Earner (P90)$137,565$144,926
Total Employed1,53010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($101,614) and Menomonee Falls ($94,727) civil engineer salaries.MadisonMenomonee FallsMedian Salary$101,614$94,727Entry Level (P10)$74,899$64,630Top Earner (P90)$137,565$144,926US Median $103,492

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Menomonee Falls.

The salary gap between Madison and Menomonee Falls is $6,887 (7.27%). Madison's median is -1.81% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $62,666,Menomonee Falls spans $80,296. Menomonee Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$74,899
P25$83,079
Median$101,614
P75$125,711
P90 (Top)$137,565
Menomonee Falls
P10 (Entry)$64,630
P25$74,737
Median$94,727
P75$120,117
P90 (Top)$144,926

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($104,448 effective) pays 2.98% more than Menomonee Falls ($101,421 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $101,614
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $104,448
Menomonee Falls
Nominal: $94,727
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $101,421

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,614/year)
  • Larger job market (1,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,448)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Menomonee Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($144,926)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Madison grew 19.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Menomonee Falls over the same period.

Madison, WI

+19.7%

$82,730 (2019) → $99,010 (2025)

Menomonee Falls, WI

+9.0%

$84,680 (2024) → $92,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Madison or Menomonee Falls?

Madison has a higher median civil engineer salary at $101,614/year, compared to Menomonee Falls at $94,727/year — a difference of $6,887 (7.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Menomonee Falls?

Madison civil engineers earn $48.85/hr while Menomonee Falls hygienists earn $45.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Menomonee Falls as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Menomonee Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $104,448, Menomonee Falls = $101,421), job availability (1,530 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Madison vs Menomonee Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $74,899 in Madison and $64,630 in Menomonee Falls. The Madison 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