Civil Engineer Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL: $96,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Vestavia Hills, AL earns a median $96,010/year (≈ $46.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Vestavia Hills's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $109,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The civil engineer salary in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, is projected to reach a median of $96,010 in 2026, reflecting the impacts of sustained public infrastructure investment spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This increase in funding for infrastructure projects has fostered a robust hiring environment, with salaries ranging from $66,784 at the 10th percentile to as high as $148,817 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted to account for regional cost factors typical in Vestavia Hills. Civil engineers in this area find themselves navigating a competitive job market driven not just by local demand but also by the broader trends influencing the industry.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,784 | $32.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,395 | $36.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,370 | $58.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,817 | $71.54 |
Median Salary Position
7.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,033 (2026 est.). At $96,010, the local median is 7.23% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vestavia Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vestavia Hills Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Vestavia Hills median: $96,010/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vestavia Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $100,011 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.23% less |
Civil Engineers in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $96,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.23% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $100,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vestavia Hills 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.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,010 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,226 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,766
2025 BLS Actual
$93,550
2026 Current Est.
$96,010
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,167 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,685 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,729 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,766 (2019) to $93,550 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,769 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills 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) | $66,784 – $76,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,395 – $96,010 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,010 – $122,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,370 – $148,817 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, the local job market for civil engineers is relatively small, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index is favorable, sitting at 87.9, suggesting that take-home pay stretches further than in more expensive regions. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include large engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as prominent construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor. The variation in pay within the sector can be attributed to several factors, including professional licensure status. Obtaining a PE license can significantly advance an engineer's career and compensation potential. Specialty skills in structural or geotechnical engineering can also command premiums in this market, particularly in the wake of new infrastructure projects funded by the BIL. Aspiring civil engineers often find that targeting high-tier consulting firms and cultivating relevant project experience can maximize their earning potential in Vestavia Hills AL.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, 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 $93,550 for civil engineersin the Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills 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