Civil Engineer Salary in Nogales, AZ: $89,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Nogales, AZ earns a median $89,281/year (≈ $42.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Nogales's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $90,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, civil engineers in Nogales, Arizona are projected to earn a median annual salary of $89,281, significantly lower than the national average of $103,492. The salary range for this profession in Nogales is estimated between $61,046 at the 10th percentile and $132,839 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by the type of employer. Jobs in the area may be divided among consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government positions, and construction companies. Each avenue offers distinct compensation trends shaped by the demand for civil engineering services amid ongoing infrastructure projects, making the local job market competitive even with the lower overall pay compared to national levels.
About the Nogales Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,046 | $29.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,551 | $36.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,281 | $42.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,042 | $52.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,839 | $63.87 |
Median Salary Position
13.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nogales
In Nogales, AZ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,793 (2026 est.). At $89,281, the local median is 13.73% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nogales: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nogales Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Nogales median: $89,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nogales Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $94,778 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -13.73% less |
Civil Engineers in Nogales, AZ earn a median of $89,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.73% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.80% below the Arizona state average of $94,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nogales has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nogales, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $89,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,105
2025 BLS Actual
$86,993
2026 Current Est.
$89,281
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Nogales (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,105 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,408 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,993 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,629 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nogales metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $75,105 (2019) to $86,993 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,629 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,524 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nogales 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) | $61,046 – $75,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,551 – $89,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,281 – $110,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,042 – $132,839 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Nogales
The local job market for civil engineers in Nogales remains relatively small, with only five professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which means that while salaries may lag behind major metropolitan areas, purchasing power can remain competitive due to lower expenses. Among local employers, top engineering consulting firms often provide the highest pay, driven by complex projects and expertise requirements. Several factors contribute to the variance in salaries, including professional engineering licenses, specialization fields such as structural or geotechnical engineering, and differences in firm size—from small governmental bodies to major contractors like Bechtel and Fluor. For civil engineers seeking to maximize compensation, focusing on obtaining a PE license, developing specialized skills, and pursuing roles in high-demand areas like project management or federal contracts can enhance earning potential in Nogales, AZ.
More salary data for Nogales, AZ:
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 $86,993 for civil engineersin the Nogales 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 Nogales 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