Civil Engineer Salary in Sarasota, FL: $89,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Sarasota, FL earns a median $89,749/year (≈ $43.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Sarasota's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $89,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Sarasota, Florida, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $89,749. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $103,492, reflecting a variance that highlights the structural divide in the job market. The salary range in Sarasota extends from $59,235 at the 10th percentile to $139,111 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity based on experience and specialization. These estimates, drawn from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reveal that the local market features competition among consulting firms, government positions, and construction roles, each of which offers distinct compensation dynamics. Factors such as the type of employer, project complexity, and whether the civil engineer holds a PE license heavily influence overall pay in this area.
About the Sarasota Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,235 | $28.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,618 | $33.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,749 | $43.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,466 | $54.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,111 | $66.88 |
Median Salary Position
13.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sarasota
In Sarasota, FL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,876 (2026 est.). At $89,749, the local median is 13.28% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sarasota: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sarasota Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Sarasota median: $89,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sarasota Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $99,943 | -10.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -13.28% less |
Civil Engineers in Sarasota, FL earn a median of $89,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 10.20% below the Florida state average of $99,943.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sarasota has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sarasota, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,749 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,037 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,499
2025 BLS Actual
$87,449
2026 Current Est.
$89,749
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Sarasota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,499 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,808 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,357 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,156 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sarasota metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $75,499 (2019) to $87,449 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,610 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sarasota 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) | $59,235 – $69,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,618 – $89,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,749 – $113,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,466 – $139,111 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Sarasota
As of 2026, only 10 civil engineers are employed in Sarasota, suggesting a tightly-knit job market that may provide unique opportunities for professional growth. The local cost-of-living index stands at 100.8, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay and affordability for residents. Among local employers, top consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer the highest salaries, while state DOTs and public works can provide stable positions but often with lower pay scales. The spread between the lowest and highest earnings can be attributed to various factors, including the PE license requirements that can significantly increase a civil engineer's earning potential, as well as specialization in high-demand areas such as transportation or environmental engineering. To optimize earning potential in Sarasota, civil engineers are encouraged to pursue licensure, consider roles in high-paying sectors, and engage with ongoing professional development opportunities, particularly in light of the infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Sarasota, 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 $87,449 for civil engineersin the Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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