Civil Engineer Salary in Auburn, AL: $102,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Auburn, AL earns a median $102,209/year (≈ $49.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $116,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Auburn, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $102,209, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineers here spans from $64,431 at the 10th percentile to $160,719 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced significantly by recent infrastructure spending. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight how federal initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have bolstered hiring activities. This growth signals an upward trend in the local demand for civil engineers, creating numerous opportunities for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,431 | $30.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,241 | $38.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,209 | $49.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,585 | $61.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,719 | $77.27 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,288 (2026 est.). At $102,209, the local median is 1.24% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Auburn median: $102,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $100,009 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.24% less |
Civil Engineers in Auburn, AL earn a median of $102,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% above the Alabama state average of $100,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.933 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $102,209 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,700
2025 BLS Actual
$99,590
2026 Current Est.
$102,209
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 31.6% from $75,700 (2019) to $99,590 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,197 (38.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,431 – $79,241 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,241 – $102,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,209 – $128,585 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,585 – $160,719 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Auburn
The local job market in Auburn employs about 130 civil engineers, which contributes to a competitive environment in 2026. With a cost-of-living index of 87.933, Auburn presents a favorable landscape for civil engineer pay, allowing for a higher purchasing power compared to many urban areas. Organizations such as AECOM and Jacobs, along with federal agencies like the USACE, often provide the highest salaries, with the pay scale influenced by factors like specialization and the attainment of a PE license, which is essential for advancing to senior positions. Candidates can maximize their salaries by seeking roles in high-demand sectors driven by BIL-funded projects and considering private consulting firms that typically offer more competitive compensation than government roles. Understanding the nuances of the Auburn market can lead to better career choices and increased earning potential for civil engineers.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,590 for civil engineersin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov