Civil Engineer Salary in Meriden, CT: $104,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Meriden, CT earns a median $104,799/year (≈ $50.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Meriden's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $97,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Meriden, Connecticut, anticipate a median annual salary of $104,799 for 2026, offering a competitive edge compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary landscape ranges broadly from $75,031 at the 10th percentile to $162,438 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities within the field. This overview is informed by estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlighting the city’s unique compensation dynamics. In Meriden, civil engineer pay varies depending on sector, with the most lucrative salaries found within top-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, contrasting with salaries offered by government agencies and construction firms.
About the Meriden Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,031 | $36.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,367 | $41.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,799 | $50.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,572 | $63.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,438 | $78.09 |
Median Salary Position
1.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meriden
In Meriden, CT, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,407 (2026 est.). At $104,799, the local median is 1.26% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meriden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meriden Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Meriden median: $104,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meriden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $106,179 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.26% more |
Civil Engineers in Meriden, CT earn a median of $104,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.26% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% below the Connecticut state average of $106,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meriden has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meriden, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,799 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,126 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,159
2025 BLS Actual
$102,113
2026 Current Est.
$104,799
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Meriden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,101 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meriden metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $88,159 (2019) to $102,113 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,396 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meriden 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) | $75,031 – $85,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,367 – $104,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,799 – $132,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,572 – $162,438 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Meriden
Examining the local employment context reveals that Meriden has a small but steady workforce of 12 civil engineers, indicating a niche market that could influence job availability and salary negotiation scopes. However, the cost of living in the area, with an index of 107.9, slightly exceeds the national average, which can impact overall take-home purchasing power. Understanding employer distinctions is key; consulting firms lead in compensation, while government jobs may provide stability yet usually fall short on salary scale. The difference in pay often stems from the necessity of possessing a PE license for higher-level roles, as well as specialized skills in areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering. To maximize earnings, engineers may consider pursuing advanced credentials, gaining experience in high-demand sectors like infrastructure tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and building networks within the local engineering community.
More salary data for Meriden, 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 $102,113 for civil engineersin the Meriden 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 Meriden 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