Civil Engineer Salary in Lafayette, CO: $94,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lafayette, CO earns a median $94,139/year (≈ $45.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $89,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lafayette, Colorado, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $94,139 in 2026, which reflects the positive impact of increased infrastructure spending through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This figure is representative of a salary range stretching from $61,794 at the 10th percentile to $145,916 at the 90th percentile, indicating the varied opportunities within the field. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors position Lafayette's civil engineer pay slightly below the national median of $103,492, indicating a competitive, yet supportive, environment for civil engineers as local demand continues to grow alongside infrastructure investments in the area.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,794 | $29.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,916 | $37.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,139 | $45.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,342 | $56.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,916 | $70.15 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, CO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,122 (2026 est.). At $94,139, the local median is 9.04% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $94,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $97,251 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -9.04% less |
Civil Engineers in Lafayette, CO earn a median of $94,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.20% below the Colorado state average of $97,251.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,139 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,656 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,192
2025 BLS Actual
$91,727
2026 Current Est.
$94,139
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,566 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,192 (2019) to $91,727 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,423 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $61,794 – $77,916 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,916 – $94,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,139 – $117,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,342 – $145,916 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lafayette
Employment for civil engineers in Lafayette remains relatively small, with around seven professionals currently working in the area. The cost of living index sits at 105, which slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay and overall purchasing power for residents. In terms of employers, positions at renowned engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often offer the highest compensation, particularly for engineers holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license or those specializing in structural, geotechnical, or transportation fields. The significant pay gap between entry-level and senior positions often hinges on credentials like the PE license, the firm tier, and the scope of projects being managed. To maximize salary, aspiring civil engineers in Lafayette would benefit from pursuing PE certification, honing technical skills relevant to high-demand areas, and aligning themselves with top-tier firms engaged in BIL-funded projects.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 $91,727 for civil engineersin the Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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