Civil Engineer Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $83,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $83,955/year (≈ $40.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $96,611 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an increasing emphasis on infrastructure improvements driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the civil engineer salary in North Little Rock, AR is projected to reach a median annual figure of $83,955 in 2026. This salary reflects the broader demand for civil engineering roles shaped by significant public investment in regional projects, with salaries ranging from $58,152 at the 10th percentile to $130,131 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments indicate that while local compensation remains competitive, it falls approximately 18.88% below the national median civil engineer pay of $103,492. The growing focus on infrastructure has also influenced local hiring trends as companies seek skilled professionals to manage and execute various development projects in the area.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,152 | $27.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,955 | $40.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,463 | $51.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,131 | $62.56 |
Median Salary Position
18.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,979 (2026 est.). At $83,955, the local median is 18.88% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Civil Engineer Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $83,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $89,888 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -18.88% less |
Civil Engineers in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $83,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.88% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Arkansas state average of $89,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $83,955 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,611 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,625
2025 BLS Actual
$81,804
2026 Current Est.
$83,955
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,625 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $70,625 (2019) to $81,804 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,538 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Little Rock 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) | $58,152 – $67,180 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,180 – $83,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,955 – $107,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,463 – $130,131 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in North Little Rock
Currently, there are about 15 civil engineers employed in North Little Rock, indicating stability in the job market despite the smaller workforce. The city’s cost of living index sits at 86.9, suggesting a lower-than-average housing and living expense, which can enhance take-home pay and general purchasing power for engineers. Among the local employers, opportunities for higher earnings are often found within top-tier engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as with major construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. Variations in civil engineer pay in North Little Rock depend on several factors, including the necessity of a Professional Engineer (PE) license for advancement, the specialization within fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the difference in compensation between private sector roles and government positions. Maximizing earning potential will likely require targeting firms with robust infrastructure projects while pursuing relevant credentials and opportunities for advancement within the civil engineering profession.
More salary data for North Little Rock, AR:
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 $81,804 for civil engineersin the North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock 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