Civil Engineer Salary

Savannah vs Valdosta: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Savannah, GA and Valdosta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Savannah, GA
$101,552
$48.82/hr
Valdosta, GA
$81,242
$39.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSavannah, GAValdosta, GA
Median Salary$101,552$81,242
Hourly Rate$48.82$39.06
Entry Level (P10)$68,618$59,125
25th Percentile$76,039$66,053
75th Percentile$129,488$101,593
Top Earner (P90)$159,826$137,257
Total Employed37050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Savannah ($101,552) and Valdosta ($81,242) civil engineer salaries.SavannahValdostaMedian Salary$101,552$81,242Entry Level (P10)$68,618$59,125Top Earner (P90)$159,826$137,257US Median $103,492

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Valdosta.

The salary gap between Savannah and Valdosta is $20,310 (25.00%). Savannah's median is -1.87% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Savannah spans $91,208,Valdosta spans $78,132. Savannah has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Savannah
P10 (Entry)$68,618
P25$76,039
Median$101,552
P75$129,488
P90 (Top)$159,826
Valdosta
P10 (Entry)$59,125
P25$66,053
Median$81,242
P75$101,593
P90 (Top)$137,257

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($106,666 effective) pays 15.89% more than Valdosta ($92,037 effective).

Savannah
Nominal: $101,552
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $106,666
Valdosta
Nominal: $81,242
CoL Index: 88.271
Adjusted: $92,037

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,552/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,826)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,666)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Valdosta if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Savannah grew 21.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Valdosta over the same period.

Savannah, GA

+21.8%

$81,240 (2019) → $98,950 (2025)

Valdosta, GA

+21.4%

$65,180 (2019) → $79,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Savannah or Valdosta?

Savannah has a higher median civil engineer salary at $101,552/year, compared to Valdosta at $81,242/year — a difference of $20,310 (25.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Savannah and Valdosta?

Savannah civil engineers earn $48.82/hr while Valdosta hygienists earn $39.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Savannah to Valdosta as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Savannah and Valdosta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Savannah = $106,666, Valdosta = $92,037), job availability (370 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Savannah vs Valdosta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $68,618 in Savannah and $59,125 in Valdosta. The Savannah 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