Civil Engineer Salary

North Providence vs Pawtucket: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between North Providence, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Providence, RI
$99,787
$47.98/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$103,896
$49.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Providence, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$99,787$103,896
Hourly Rate$47.98$49.95
Entry Level (P10)$72,309$68,027
25th Percentile$81,540$79,865
75th Percentile$127,108$132,898
Top Earner (P90)$154,671$161,040
Total Employed616
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Providence ($99,787) and Pawtucket ($103,896) civil engineer salaries.North ProvidencePawtucketMedian Salary$99,787$103,896Entry Level (P10)$72,309$68,027Top Earner (P90)$154,671$161,040US Median $103,492

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Providence.

The salary gap between North Providence and Pawtucket is $4,109 (4.12%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Providence spans $82,362,Pawtucket spans $93,013. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

North Providence
P10 (Entry)$72,309
P25$81,540
Median$99,787
P75$127,108
P90 (Top)$154,671
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$68,027
P25$79,865
Median$103,896
P75$132,898
P90 (Top)$161,040

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($103,379 effective) pays 4.12% more than North Providence ($99,291 effective).

North Providence
Nominal: $99,787
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $99,291
Pawtucket
Nominal: $103,896
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $103,379

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,896/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,040)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,379)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in North Providence grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

North Providence, RI

+2.9%

$94,492 (2024) → $97,230 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+2.9%

$98,383 (2024) → $101,234 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: North Providence or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median civil engineer salary at $103,896/year, compared to North Providence at $99,787/year — a difference of $4,109 (4.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Providence and Pawtucket?

North Providence civil engineers earn $47.98/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $49.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Providence to Pawtucket as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Providence and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Providence = $99,291, Pawtucket = $103,379), job availability (6 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in North Providence vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $72,309 in North Providence and $68,027 in Pawtucket. The North Providence 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