Civil Engineer Salary in Searcy, AR: $85,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Searcy, AR earns a median $85,624/year (≈ $41.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Searcy's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $98,532 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Searcy, Arkansas, is projected to reach a median of $85,624, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. Salaries within this profession vary significantly, with the range spanning from $60,202 at the 10th percentile to $126,445 at the 90th percentile. This salary landscape underscores the divisive pay structure across different sectors, with consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering higher compensation compared to government positions such as state Departments of Transportation (DOT) and local public works roles. Understanding the local market is crucial for aspiring civil engineers in Searcy, especially as the infrastructure investment boom continues to influence demand.
About the Searcy Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,202 | $28.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,293 | $32.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,624 | $41.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,753 | $50.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,445 | $60.79 |
Median Salary Position
17.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Searcy
In Searcy, AR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,243 (2026 est.). At $85,624, the local median is 17.27% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Searcy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Searcy Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Searcy median: $85,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Searcy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $89,941 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -17.27% less |
Civil Engineers in Searcy, AR earn a median of $85,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.80% below the Arkansas state average of $89,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Searcy 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.
Searcy, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $85,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,532 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,029
2025 BLS Actual
$83,430
2026 Current Est.
$85,624
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Searcy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,029 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,278 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,848 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,412 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,335 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,843 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Searcy metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $72,029 (2019) to $83,430 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,847 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Searcy 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) | $60,202 – $68,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,293 – $85,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,624 – $104,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,753 – $126,445 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Searcy
With only five civil engineers currently employed in Searcy, the job market remains relatively tight. The cost of living, indexed at 86.9, offers a favorable environment for take-home pay, allowing for potentially greater purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national averages. Top employers in Searcy, including larger engineering firms and federal agencies, are likely to dominate higher salary offerings, particularly for roles that require a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Factors contributing to the pay differential include specialization in transportation or geotechnical engineering, firm tier distinctions (with consulting firms commanding higher wages than local agencies), and the career track pursued—whether technical or managerial. For engineers looking to maximize their earnings in Searcy, pursuing PE licensure and targeting positions in firms heavily invested in infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Searcy, 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 $83,430 for civil engineersin the Searcy 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 Searcy 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