Civil Engineer Salary in Steamboat Springs, CO: $91,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Steamboat Springs, CO earns a median $91,726/year (≈ $44.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Steamboat Springs's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $87,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Steamboat Springs, civil engineers earn a median annual salary of $91,726, reflecting a competitive position within the market, though still below the national median of $103,492. Salary ranges for these professionals span from $62,980 at the lower end to $142,174 at the upper tier, offering significant disparities based on various factors, including experience and sector. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that the job market features opportunities in consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as within government agencies and construction companies. These variations in employment sectors all influence pay structures, positioning Steamboat Springs as an area of moderate compensation in the broader Colorado civil engineering landscape.
About the Steamboat Springs Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,737 | $37.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,726 | $44.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,269 | $54.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,174 | $68.35 |
Median Salary Position
11.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Steamboat Springs
In Steamboat Springs, CO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,194 (2026 est.). At $91,726, the local median is 11.37% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Steamboat Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Steamboat Springs Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Steamboat Springs median: $91,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Steamboat Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $97,270 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.37% less |
Civil Engineers in Steamboat Springs, CO earn a median of $91,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.37% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.70% below the Colorado state average of $97,270.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Steamboat Springs has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Steamboat Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,726 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,358 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,162
2025 BLS Actual
$89,375
2026 Current Est.
$91,726
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Steamboat Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,039 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,714 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,988 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Steamboat Springs metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,162 (2019) to $89,375 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,976 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Steamboat Springs 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) | $62,980 – $77,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,737 – $91,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,726 – $113,269 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,269 – $142,174 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Steamboat Springs
As of 2026, only four civil engineers are reported as employed in Steamboat Springs, indicating a tight job market for this profession. The cost of living index in the area, measured at 105, suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the local cost realities demand careful financial planning. Among employers, consulting firms typically offer the highest compensation, driven by the need for specialized skills and project management experience. Factors influencing the pay gap include the licensure, with a PE designation greatly enhancing earning potential, particularly in specialty areas. To maximize pay in this market, engineers should consider obtaining additional qualifications and pursuing roles in prestigious consulting firms, which can leverage infrastructure funding from initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to enhance project opportunities and compensation potential.
More salary data for Steamboat Springs, 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 $89,375 for civil engineersin the Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs 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