Civil Engineer Salary in Durango, CO: $91,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Durango, CO earns a median $91,148/year (≈ $43.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Durango's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $86,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 civil engineer salary in Durango, Colorado is projected at $91,148, which is notably below the national median of $103,492. This figure reflects the significant influence of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on regional hiring trends and compensation scales. With a salary range spanning from $69,360 at the 10th percentile to $140,428 at the 90th percentile, the local market demonstrates considerable variability. Estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the unique economic conditions in Durango. Given the area's growth driven by infrastructure projects and public works initiatives, job seekers in this field should find opportunities for employment within local government and engineering consultancies, though competition may vary based on credentials and specializations.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,360 | $33.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,534 | $36.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,148 | $43.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,749 | $53.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,428 | $67.51 |
Median Salary Position
11.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durango
In Durango, CO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,068 (2026 est.). At $91,148, the local median is 11.93% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durango: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durango Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Durango median: $91,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durango Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $97,276 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.93% less |
Civil Engineers in Durango, CO earn a median of $91,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $97,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durango has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durango, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,148 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,808 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,676
2025 BLS Actual
$88,812
2026 Current Est.
$91,148
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durango metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $76,676 (2019) to $88,812 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,869 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durango 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) | $69,360 – $76,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,534 – $91,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,148 – $111,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,749 – $140,428 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Durango
In Durango, the job market presents challenges and opportunities for aspiring civil engineers. Currently, there are just five engineers employed in the area, hinting at a tightly-knit community within the profession. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 105, professionals may find that their salaries, though comparatively lower than national averages, must accommodate higher local living expenses. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs often provide competitive pay, particularly for those holding a PE license and specializing in high-demand areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering. The disparity in pay across different employment sectors can be attributed to factors including licensing status, firm prestige, and the specific nature of projects funded by BIL initiatives. To maximize pay in this environment, engineers may benefit from focusing on gaining diverse experience, obtaining advanced certifications, and networking within local engineering circles.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
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 $88,812 for civil engineersin the Durango 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 Durango 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