Civil Engineer Salary in Lewiston, ID: $80,144 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lewiston, ID earns a median $80,144/year (≈ $38.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $87,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.9% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Civil engineering professionals in Lewiston, Idaho, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,144 in 2026, a figure that reflects the notable impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on local hiring. This competitive pay range spans from $59,433 at the lower end to $121,812 at the higher end, providing a wide spectrum of earnings depending on experience and specialization. Such data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscoring the hiring dynamics in a market where infrastructure investment is driving demand for skilled civil engineers. As the area continues to adapt to the influx of BIL funding, job opportunities for engineers are expected to grow, positioning Lewiston as a favorable environment for those in this engineering discipline.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,433 | $28.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,019 | $33.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,144 | $38.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,692 | $49.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,812 | $58.56 |
Median Salary Position
22.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,379 (2026 est.). At $80,144, the local median is 22.56% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $80,144/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $100,055 | -19.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -22.56% less |
Civil Engineers in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $80,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.56% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 19.90% below the Idaho state average of $100,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 8.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $80,144 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,419
2025 BLS Actual
$78,090
2026 Current Est.
$80,144
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,144 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $67,419 (2019) to $78,090 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,833 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $59,433 – $69,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,019 – $80,144 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,144 – $102,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,692 – $121,812 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lewiston
In Lewiston, about 80 civil engineers are employed within a market marked by a cost-of-living index of 91.16, indicating a relatively affordable living situation that can enhance purchasing power for professionals in the field. Employers range from leading engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to local public works departments, each offering varying levels of compensation aligned with industry standards. The disparities in civil engineer pay in Lewiston, ID, are influenced by several factors including specialized licenses like the PE, firm size and tier, and the nature of the projects undertaken. Those keen to maximize their earnings are advised to obtain their Professional Engineer (PE) license, pursue roles at larger consulting firms, and consider the lucrative potential of projects funded by BIL, as these initiatives are likely to offer a premium on compensation for in-demand specialties.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
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 $78,090 for civil engineersin the Lewiston 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, 5-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