Civil Engineer Salary in Opelika, AL: $101,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Opelika, AL earns a median $101,772/year (≈ $48.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $115,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Opelika, Alabama, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,772, which is slightly below the national average of $103,492. Salary projections for this role indicate a range from $74,755 at the lower end (P10) to $157,746 for senior positions (P90). These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the dynamic job market split among consulting firms, government positions with the Department of Transportation, and the construction sector. Firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically provide higher salaries compared to government roles, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right employment path in this evolving industry landscape.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,755 | $35.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,985 | $40.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,772 | $48.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,268 | $62.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,746 | $75.84 |
Median Salary Position
1.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,991 (2026 est.). At $101,772, the local median is 1.66% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Opelika median: $101,772/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,973 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.66% less |
Civil Engineers in Opelika, AL earn a median of $101,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% above the Alabama state average of $99,973.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $101,772 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,613
2025 BLS Actual
$99,164
2026 Current Est.
$101,772
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,587 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,449 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $85,613 (2019) to $99,164 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,836 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $74,755 – $83,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,985 – $101,772 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,772 – $130,268 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,268 – $157,746 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Opelika
Considering Opelika's job market, where only seven civil engineers are currently employed, the competitive environment is influenced by the local cost-of-living index, which stands at 87.9. This lower index contributes positively to the take-home pay and purchasing power of civil engineers in the area. Pay discrepancies can be significant, driven by factors such as the attainment of a Professional Engineer (PE) license and specialization in high-demand fields like structural or geotechnical engineering. While top-tier consulting firms generally offer higher salaries, other sectors, including federal agencies and private developers, may present lucrative opportunities influenced by infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To maximize earnings in Opelika’s market, engineers should aim for advanced certifications, build deep local connections, and consider roles in growing sectors likely to benefit from increased infrastructure investment.
More salary data for Opelika, 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 $99,164 for civil engineersin the Opelika 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
Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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