Civil Engineer Salary in Huntsville, AL: $108,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Huntsville, AL earns a median $108,541/year (≈ $52.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Huntsville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $116,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Huntsville, Alabama, can expect a compelling median annual salary of $108,541, reflecting a positive trend compared to national averages. This salary sits within a range that spans from $78,112 at the lower end to $213,460 for those at the high end of the market, indicating robust compensation possibilities for experienced professionals. The data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), illustrates a diverse job market where consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher pay. In contrast, government entities and local public works departments may present more modest monetary packages. The competitive landscape of engineering roles in Huntsville reveals varying compensation influenced by workplace structure and funding availability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,112 | $37.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,398 | $41.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,541 | $52.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,500 | $75.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,460 | $102.63 |
Median Salary Position
4.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntsville
In Huntsville, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,348 (2026 est.). At $108,541, the local median is 4.88% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntsville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Huntsville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Huntsville median: $108,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $100,038 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +4.88% more |
Civil Engineers in Huntsville, AL earn a median of $108,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.88% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 8.50% above the Alabama state average of $100,038.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntsville has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntsville, AL has a cost-of-living index of 93.072 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $108,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,620 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,110
2025 BLS Actual
$105,760
2026 Current Est.
$108,541
2019–2027 Growth
+7.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,396 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntsville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 1.6% from $104,110 (2019) to $105,760 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,286 (7.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville 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) | $78,112 – $85,398 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,398 – $108,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,541 – $156,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,500 – $213,460 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Huntsville
Analysts have identified a workforce of approximately 1,010 civil engineers employed in Huntsville, highlighting a strong local job market. The cost of living, indexed at 93.072, creates an advantageous environment for engineers, as lower living costs enhance take-home pay. Among employers, top consulting firms often lead in compensation; those entering the engineering field from structural or geotechnical specialties tend to command higher salaries due to the vital expertise they provide. Furthermore, obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly impact salary progression, particularly for those aiming for senior roles or project management positions. As infrastructure initiatives grow, especially with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding boost, there will be increased opportunities for engineers. Professionals keen on maximizing their pay in the Huntsville market should consider pursuing specialized skills, investing in credentials, and exploring positions within higher-paying segments of the industry.
More salary data for Huntsville, 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 $105,760 for civil engineersin the Huntsville 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