Civil Engineer Salary

Orlando vs Punta Gorda: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Orlando, FL and Punta Gorda, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$103,389
$49.70/hr
Punta Gorda, FL
$101,840
$48.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLPunta Gorda, FL
Median Salary$103,389$101,840
Hourly Rate$49.70$48.96
Entry Level (P10)$68,937$59,803
25th Percentile$80,883$80,698
75th Percentile$132,557$130,545
Top Earner (P90)$169,668$167,287
Total Employed3,720110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($103,389) and Punta Gorda ($101,840) civil engineer salaries.OrlandoPunta GordaMedian Salary$103,389$101,840Entry Level (P10)$68,937$59,803Top Earner (P90)$169,668$167,287US Median $103,492

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Punta Gorda.

The salary gap between Orlando and Punta Gorda is $1,549 (1.52%). Orlando's median is -0.10% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $100,731,Punta Gorda spans $107,484. Punta Gorda has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$68,937
P25$80,883
Median$103,389
P75$132,557
P90 (Top)$169,668
Punta Gorda
P10 (Entry)$59,803
P25$80,698
Median$101,840
P75$130,545
P90 (Top)$167,287

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($101,943 effective) pays 0.63% more than Punta Gorda ($101,308 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $103,389
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $101,943
Punta Gorda
Nominal: $101,840
CoL Index: 100.525
Adjusted: $101,308

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,389/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,668)
  • Larger job market (3,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,943)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Punta Gorda if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Orlando grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.9% growth in Punta Gorda over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+18.9%

$84,740 (2019) → $100,740 (2025)

Punta Gorda, FL

+37.9%

$71,950 (2019) → $99,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Orlando or Punta Gorda?

Orlando has a higher median civil engineer salary at $103,389/year, compared to Punta Gorda at $101,840/year — a difference of $1,549 (1.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Punta Gorda?

Orlando civil engineers earn $49.70/hr while Punta Gorda hygienists earn $48.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Punta Gorda as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Punta Gorda. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $101,943, Punta Gorda = $101,308), job availability (3,720 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Orlando vs Punta Gorda?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $68,937 in Orlando and $59,803 in Punta Gorda. The Orlando 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