Civil Engineer Salary

Springfield vs Wildwood: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Springfield, MO and Wildwood, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$84,978
$40.86/hr
Wildwood, MO
$84,665
$40.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOWildwood, MO
Median Salary$84,978$84,665
Hourly Rate$40.86$40.70
Entry Level (P10)$66,781$58,982
25th Percentile$74,355$67,501
75th Percentile$105,883$106,264
Top Earner (P90)$137,986$130,424
Total Employed3505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($84,978) and Wildwood ($84,665) civil engineer salaries.SpringfieldWildwoodMedian Salary$84,978$84,665Entry Level (P10)$66,781$58,982Top Earner (P90)$137,986$130,424US Median $103,492

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wildwood.

The salary gap between Springfield and Wildwood is $313 (0.37%). Springfield's median is -17.89% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $71,205,Wildwood spans $71,442. Wildwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$66,781
P25$74,355
Median$84,978
P75$105,883
P90 (Top)$137,986
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$58,982
P25$67,501
Median$84,665
P75$106,264
P90 (Top)$130,424

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($95,928 effective) pays 1.52% more than Wildwood ($94,492 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $84,978
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $95,928
Wildwood
Nominal: $84,665
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $94,492

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,978/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,986)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,928)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Springfield grew 13.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.5% growth in Wildwood over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+13.5%

$72,980 (2019) → $82,800 (2025)

Wildwood, MO

+5.5%

$78,222 (2024) → $82,495 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Springfield or Wildwood?

Springfield has a higher median civil engineer salary at $84,978/year, compared to Wildwood at $84,665/year — a difference of $313 (0.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Wildwood?

Springfield civil engineers earn $40.86/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $40.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Wildwood as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $95,928, Wildwood = $94,492), job availability (350 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Springfield vs Wildwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,781 in Springfield and $58,982 in Wildwood. The Springfield 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