Civil Engineer Salary in Thornton, CO: $98,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Thornton, CO earns a median $98,800/year (≈ $47.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $94,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Thornton, Colorado, is experiencing significant growth in civil engineering salaries, reflecting the ongoing impact of infrastructure spending fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projected median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 stands at $98,800, with a substantial salary range extending from $62,901 at the 10th percentile to $153,139 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, demonstrate how Thornton's job market is enhancing opportunities for professionals in the field. As the demand for civil engineers continues to rise, those entering the industry can expect competitive compensation, especially in a city where public works projects and private sector developments are on the rise.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,901 | $30.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,804 | $35.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,464 | $60.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,139 | $73.63 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,238 (2026 est.). At $98,800, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Thornton median: $98,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $97,244 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.53% less |
Civil Engineers in Thornton, CO earn a median of $98,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $97,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,800 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,095 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,113
2025 BLS Actual
$96,268
2026 Current Est.
$98,800
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,113 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,554 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,862 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,398 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,113 (2019) to $96,268 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,285 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $62,901 – $74,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,804 – $98,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,800 – $126,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,464 – $153,139 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Thornton
With 34 civil engineers currently employed in Thornton, the local job market remains robust, yet this number is accompanied by a cost of living index of 105, suggesting that while salaries are on the rise, purchasing power may be constrained. With higher compensation grades found among top engineering consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, there's a noticeable premium for roles requiring a PE license, which paves the way for higher earnings as professionals gain experience. Firms investing heavily due to the infrastructure boom present opportunities for civil engineers specializing in key areas, including structural and transportation engineering. To maximize civil engineer pay in Thornton, professionals should consider obtaining their PE license to unlock higher-level roles, actively seek positions in the fast-growing consulting sector, and stay tuned for emerging projects influenced by federal and state funding initiatives. This strategic positioning can enhance both career growth and financial benefit in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Thornton, 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 $96,268 for civil engineersin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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