Civil Engineer Salary in Bristol, CT: $105,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bristol, CT earns a median $105,304/year (≈ $50.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $97,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Bristol, CT can expect a median annual salary of $105,304, slightly above the national median of $103,492, reflecting local market conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. The salary range spans from $67,776 at the 10th percentile to $163,221 at the 90th percentile, allowing for significant variation based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a snapshot of the compensation landscape for this profession in Bristol. As civil engineers progress from FE to PE licensure, their earning potential increases substantially, highlighting the value of certification in this competitive field.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,776 | $32.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,385 | $41.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,304 | $50.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,788 | $64.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,221 | $78.47 |
Median Salary Position
1.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,445 (2026 est.). At $105,304, the local median is 1.75% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $105,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $106,153 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.75% more |
Civil Engineers in Bristol, CT earn a median of $105,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $106,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,304 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,594 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,584
2025 BLS Actual
$102,605
2026 Current Est.
$105,304
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,514 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,568 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,602 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,605 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $88,584 (2019) to $102,605 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,489 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $67,776 – $86,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,385 – $105,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,304 – $134,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,788 – $163,221 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bristol
The local job market features approximately 13 civil engineers currently employed in the Bristol area, indicating a niche sector that could present unique opportunities for professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, the reality is that take-home pay must account for higher living expenses in the area. Leading employers in Bristol can include notable engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, who typically offer higher compensation rates compared to local government positions. The disparity in salaries can reflect factors like the PE license, which opens doors to senior roles, as well as specialty areas such as structural engineering that can command a premium. Engineers seeking to maximize their pay in Bristol should consider targeting top-tier firms, pursuing licensure, and focusing on high-demand specialties that are aligned with the ongoing infrastructure spending fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 $102,605 for civil engineersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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