Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $97,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $97,211/year (≈ $46.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $96,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is projected to reach a median of $97,211, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary for civil engineers in this region spans a wide range, from $69,439 at the 10th percentile to $150,640 at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflects the growing importance of infrastructure spending, particularly due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has enhanced the demand for civil engineering professionals. As the job market continues to be influenced by these federal investments, Fort Collins’s civil engineering landscape is experiencing a notable shift, demanding skilled engineers equipped to handle an evolving array of projects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,439 | $33.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,751 | $39.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,211 | $46.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,144 | $61.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,640 | $72.43 |
Median Salary Position
6.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,201 (2026 est.). At $97,211, the local median is 6.07% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $97,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $97,308 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.07% less |
Civil Engineers in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $97,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.07% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.10% below the Colorado state average of $97,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,211 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,127 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,700
2025 BLS Actual
$94,720
2026 Current Est.
$97,211
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 26.8% from $74,700 (2019) to $94,720 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,068 (33.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $69,439 – $82,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,751 – $97,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,211 – $128,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,144 – $150,640 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fort Collins
Fort Collins currently employs about 680 civil engineers, indicating a stable market for this profession. However, the cost of living index stands at 101.128, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power could be constrained compared to national averages. Major employers in the area, including prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as local public works departments, tend to offer the highest compensation. The spread in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the possession of a PE license, specialization in critical engineering areas, firm size, and whether positions are in the public or private sector. Those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Fort Collins CO should consider obtaining further certifications and targeting higher-tier consulting firms, where the compensation packages are typically more robust.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $94,720 for civil engineersin the Fort Collins 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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