Civil Engineer Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $94,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $94,656/year (≈ $45.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $107,905 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, command a median annual salary of $94,656 in 2026, a figure that reflects a notable difference from the national median of $103,492 for the same year. The salary range varies significantly, from $62,964 at the 10th percentile to $138,356 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and specialization. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, shedding light on the dynamics of civil engineer pay in Tuscaloosa, AL. The local job market is characterized by a blend of employment opportunities in consulting firms, government roles, and construction companies, shaping the salary landscape for engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,964 | $30.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,772 | $36.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,656 | $45.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,225 | $57.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,356 | $66.51 |
Median Salary Position
8.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,392 (2026 est.). At $94,656, the local median is 8.54% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tuscaloosa Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $94,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $100,059 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.54% less |
Civil Engineers in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $94,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.40% below the Alabama state average of $100,059.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,905 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$82,600
2025 BLS Actual
$92,230
2026 Current Est.
$94,656
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 11.7% from $82,600 (2019) to $92,230 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,545 (17.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $62,964 – $75,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,772 – $94,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,656 – $119,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,225 – $138,356 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, there are currently 210 civil engineers employed, providing a solid job market within the region. The cost of living index stands at 87.722, well below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in this area. Among the highest-paying employers are leading engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as large construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor. The spread between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including specialized skills, firm tier, and whether an individual holds a PE license, which can significantly boost earning potential in more senior roles. To maximize pay in this specific market, civil engineers should pursue advanced credentials, focus on in-demand specialties such as structural or transportation engineering, and consider opportunities in sectors benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's funding initiatives.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Tuscaloosa, AL in 2026?
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Tuscaloosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Tuscaloosa?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Tuscaloosa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $92,230 for civil engineersin the Tuscaloosa 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