Civil Engineer Salary

New York vs Oneonta: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$110,153
$52.96/hr
Oneonta, NY
$94,031
$45.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYOneonta, NY
Median Salary$110,153$94,031
Hourly Rate$52.96$45.21
Entry Level (P10)$80,308$70,491
25th Percentile$91,043$78,480
75th Percentile$147,079$118,312
Top Earner (P90)$181,039$144,148
Total Employed15,5905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($110,153) and Oneonta ($94,031) civil engineer salaries.New YorkOneontaMedian Salary$110,153$94,031Entry Level (P10)$80,308$70,491Top Earner (P90)$181,039$144,148US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Oneonta is $16,122 (17.15%). 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,Oneonta spans $73,657. 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
Oneonta
P10 (Entry)$70,491
P25$78,480
Median$94,031
P75$118,312
P90 (Top)$144,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($97,859 effective) pays 20.62% more than Oneonta ($81,131 effective).

New York
Nominal: $110,153
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $97,859
Oneonta
Nominal: $94,031
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $81,131

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 Oneonta 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 Oneonta over the same period.

New York, NY

+10.6%

$97,040 (2019) → $107,330 (2025)

Oneonta, NY

+-28.2%

$127,626 (2024) → $91,621 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: New York or Oneonta?

New York has a higher median civil engineer salary at $110,153/year, compared to Oneonta at $94,031/year — a difference of $16,122 (17.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Oneonta?

New York civil engineers earn $52.96/hr while Oneonta hygienists earn $45.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Oneonta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $97,859, job availability (15,590 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $80,308 in New York and $70,491 in Oneonta. The New York 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