Civil Engineer Salary in Cape Coral, FL: $87,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Cape Coral, FL earns a median $87,225/year (≈ $41.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Cape Coral's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.3), that paycheck buys what $85,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Cape Coral, Florida, command a median annual salary of $87,225 as of 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $103,492. The salary distribution spans a range from $64,411 at the 10th percentile to $162,043 at the 90th percentile, according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, projected to 2026. This relatively modest pay reflects the local economic conditions and the balance between consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies. In Cape Coral, top-tier employers in the engineering consulting sector, like AECOM and Jacobs, generally pay the highest wages, while opportunities in public works may provide more stability but with lower compensation overall. The area's strong infrastructure initiatives, fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are expected to sustain demand for civil engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,411 | $30.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,107 | $38.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,225 | $41.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,459 | $59.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,043 | $77.91 |
Median Salary Position
15.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Coral
In Cape Coral, FL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,632 (2026 est.). At $87,225, the local median is 15.72% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Coral: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Cape Coral Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Cape Coral median: $87,225/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Coral Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $99,914 | -12.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -15.72% less |
Civil Engineers in Cape Coral, FL earn a median of $87,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.72% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 12.70% below the Florida state average of $99,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Coral has a cost of living 2.35% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Coral, FL has a cost-of-living index of 102.349 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,225 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,223 — a 2.3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,590
2025 BLS Actual
$84,990
2026 Current Est.
$87,225
2019–2027 Growth
+7.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cape Coral (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Coral metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 1.7% from $83,590 (2019) to $84,990 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,929 (7.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Coral 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) | $64,411 – $79,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,107 – $87,225 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,225 – $124,459 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,459 – $162,043 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Cape Coral
Examining the local job market reveals that there are approximately 730 civil engineers employed in Cape Coral, which presents a competitive yet stable environment for aspiring professionals. With a cost of living index of 102.349, the purchasing power here can be a concern, as it exceeds the national average. Employers such as consulting firms (AECOM, Jacobs, WSP) tend to offer more competitive salaries, making them attractive choices for engineers entering the workforce. The disparity in pay often arises due to the necessity of obtaining a PE license for advancement into senior roles, alongside specialization in fields like structural or transportation engineering, which can command higher salaries. For civil engineers in Cape Coral, strategies to maximize earning potential might include pursuing a PE license, considering opportunities in high-paying consulting firms, or engaging in infrastructure projects supported by federal funding, thereby capitalizing on the current expansion of the civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Cape Coral, FL:
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 $84,990 for civil engineersin the Cape Coral 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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