Civil Engineer Salary in Pocatello, ID: $91,967 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Pocatello, ID earns a median $91,967/year (≈ $44.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $103,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pocatello, Idaho, is witnessing an upward shift in civil engineer salaries, with the projected median annual pay reaching $91,967 in 2026, reflecting the city's responsiveness to increased infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The salary range for civil engineers in this area spans from $59,731 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $146,391 for top earners (P90), illustrating a diverse compensation structure that accommodates varying experience levels and specialties. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight how Pocatello's job market is adapting to the growing demand for engineering professionals, especially amidst a backdrop of public and private sector projects aimed at improving local infrastructure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,731 | $28.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,638 | $36.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,967 | $44.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,441 | $54.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,391 | $70.38 |
Median Salary Position
11.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,660 (2026 est.). At $91,967, the local median is 11.14% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pocatello Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $91,967/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $100,073 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.14% less |
Civil Engineers in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $91,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.14% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.10% below the Idaho state average of $100,073.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $91,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,980
2025 BLS Actual
$89,610
2026 Current Est.
$91,967
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,967 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 29.9% from $68,980 (2019) to $89,610 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,405 (36.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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) | $59,731 – $75,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,638 – $91,967 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,967 – $112,441 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,441 – $146,391 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Pocatello
With approximately 90 civil engineers currently employed in Pocatello, the local job market demonstrates a steady demand for talent, particularly as infrastructure projects continue to rise. The cost of living index stands at 88.906, which is notably below the national average, allowing for potentially enhanced purchasing power for those working in the area. Employers associated with top-tier engineering consulting firms, such as AECOM and Jacobs, often present some of the highest salaries in Pocatello, making them appealing options for civil engineers seeking better pay. Factors that drive the disparity in salaries include the type of employer, specialization in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and whether one's career path leans toward project management or technical roles. Aspiring engineers can boost their earnings by pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licenses, aligning with the industry's competitive landscape, and considering opportunities within BIL-funded projects that promise higher compensation rates.
More salary data for Pocatello, 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 $89,610 for civil engineersin the Pocatello 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