Civil Engineer Salary in Atlanta, GA: $90,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Atlanta, GA earns a median $90,314/year (≈ $43.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $90,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineer salaries in Atlanta, Georgia, are projected to be competitive, with a median annual income of $90,314. Salary ranges for civil engineers vary significantly; entry-level positions might earn as little as $65,488, while experienced professionals commanding top salaries can make as much as $164,362. This compensation data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the diverse opportunities within the city’s engineering sectors, ranging from government roles with the Department of Transportation to more lucrative positions at leading consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs. As Atlanta's infrastructure needs grow, driven by investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the demand for skilled civil engineers is expected to remain strong.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,488 | $31.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,185 | $38.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,314 | $43.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,492 | $57.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,362 | $79.01 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,874 (2026 est.). At $90,314, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlanta Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $90,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $84,249 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -12.73% less |
Civil Engineers in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $90,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.20% above the Georgia state average of $84,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,314 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,262 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,910
2025 BLS Actual
$88,000
2026 Current Est.
$90,314
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.9% from $75,910 (2019) to $88,000 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,780 (22.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $65,488 – $80,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,185 – $90,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,314 – $119,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,492 – $164,362 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Atlanta
Employment trends indicate about 6,270 civil engineers currently work in Atlanta, creating a vibrant job market, albeit one with a relatively high cost of living reflected in a CoL index of 100.058. This figure poses challenges for purchasing power, especially for those at the lower end of the salary spectrum. Consulting firms often pay the highest wages, particularly for specialists in structural and geotechnical engineering, while government positions typically offer lower compensation. The pay disparity can also be attributed to factors like possessing a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which unlocks senior-level opportunities and salary increases. For civil engineers looking to maximize their earnings in Atlanta, pursuing advanced certifications and focusing on high-growth sectors can be pivotal strategies amidst the steady job growth projected at an annual rate of 2.63%.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 $88,000 for civil engineersin the Atlanta 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