Civil Engineer Salary in Pelham, AL: $92,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Pelham, AL earns a median $92,484/year (≈ $44.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $105,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineer salaries in Pelham, Alabama, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $92,484, reflecting the area's competitive landscape among various sectors. With a salary range extending from $68,324 at the 10th percentile to $139,997 at the 90th percentile, the pay structure indicates a robust demand for skilled engineers across consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations reveal that while civil engineer pay in Pelham is somewhat lower than the national median of $103,492, the local job market offers specialized opportunities that can elevate salaries for qualified professionals. The split in compensation often lies between consulting behemoths like AECOM and Jacobs, and state departments, with private sector roles generally offering more attractive packages.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,324 | $32.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,164 | $36.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,484 | $44.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,539 | $55.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,997 | $67.30 |
Median Salary Position
10.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,673 (2026 est.). At $92,484, the local median is 10.64% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pelham Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Pelham median: $92,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,983 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -10.64% less |
Civil Engineers in Pelham, AL earn a median of $92,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.64% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $99,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham 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.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $92,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,800
2025 BLS Actual
$90,114
2026 Current Est.
$92,484
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,684 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,373 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,691 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,800 (2019) to $90,114 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,116 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $68,324 – $76,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,164 – $92,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,484 – $115,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,539 – $139,997 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Pelham
Despite the slightly lower compensation relative to the national average, Pelham's cost of living index of 87.9 provides a favorable backdrop for engineers in this community. The four civil engineers currently employed locally work in a market shaped by established firms and federal contractors, where opportunities for growth exist, especially for those with a PE license. The variance in salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty fields—structural or geotechnical engineering tend to command higher premiums—as well as the tier of the employing firm. Additionally, as infrastructure spending surges due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, engineers who align with major public works projects may capitalize on improving pay scales. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Pelham, pursuing advanced certifications and considering positions in higher-tier firms or management tracks will yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $90,114 for civil engineersin the Pelham 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 Pelham 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