Civil Engineer Salary

New York vs North Tonawanda: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between New York, NY and North Tonawanda, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$110,153
$52.96/hr
North Tonawanda, NY
$96,234
$46.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYNorth Tonawanda, NY
Median Salary$110,153$96,234
Hourly Rate$52.96$46.27
Entry Level (P10)$80,308$68,921
25th Percentile$91,043$78,111
75th Percentile$147,079$123,180
Top Earner (P90)$181,039$149,162
Total Employed15,5908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($110,153) and North Tonawanda ($96,234) civil engineer salaries.New YorkNorth TonawandaMedian Salary$110,153$96,234Entry Level (P10)$80,308$68,921Top Earner (P90)$181,039$149,162US Median $103,492

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Tonawanda.

The salary gap between New York and North Tonawanda is $13,919 (14.46%). New York's median is +6.44% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $100,731,North Tonawanda spans $80,241. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$80,308
P25$91,043
Median$110,153
P75$147,079
P90 (Top)$181,039
North Tonawanda
P10 (Entry)$68,921
P25$78,111
Median$96,234
P75$123,180
P90 (Top)$149,162

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($97,859 effective) pays 17.86% more than North Tonawanda ($83,032 effective).

New York
Nominal: $110,153
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $97,859
North Tonawanda
Nominal: $96,234
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $83,032

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,153/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($181,039)
  • Larger job market (15,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,859)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose North Tonawanda if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in New York grew 10.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -28.2% growth in North Tonawanda over the same period.

New York, NY

+10.6%

$97,040 (2019) → $107,330 (2025)

North Tonawanda, NY

+-28.2%

$130,616 (2024) → $93,768 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: New York or North Tonawanda?

New York has a higher median civil engineer salary at $110,153/year, compared to North Tonawanda at $96,234/year — a difference of $13,919 (14.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and North Tonawanda?

New York civil engineers earn $52.96/hr while North Tonawanda hygienists earn $46.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to North Tonawanda as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and North Tonawanda. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $97,859, North Tonawanda = $83,032), job availability (15,590 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in New York vs North Tonawanda?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $80,308 in New York and $68,921 in North Tonawanda. The New York 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