Civil Engineer Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $94,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $94,554/year (≈ $45.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $104,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Bettendorf, Iowa, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $94,554. The salary range is projected to span from $67,868 at the 10th percentile to $146,559 at the 90th percentile, as derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data. These figures take into account local cost-of-living factors, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Bettendorf, which holds a cost of living index of 90.4, indicating a lower cost than the national average. The local job market is likely influenced by the certification path from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE), as licensure significantly enhances earning potential and career opportunities for civil engineers.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,868 | $32.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,785 | $36.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,554 | $45.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,030 | $58.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,559 | $70.47 |
Median Salary Position
8.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,691 (2026 est.). At $94,554, the local median is 8.64% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $94,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $99,009 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.64% less |
Civil Engineers in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $94,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.64% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $99,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,554 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,541
2025 BLS Actual
$92,131
2026 Current Est.
$94,554
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,921 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,446 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,002 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,541 (2019) to $92,131 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,500 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $67,868 – $76,785 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,785 – $94,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,554 – $121,030 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,030 – $146,559 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bettendorf
The civil engineering job market in Bettendorf is relatively small, with about 10 civil engineers currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living being below the national average translates to greater purchasing power for local professionals. Major employers include engineering consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which typically offer the highest salaries. Specialized roles in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering can command premiums, while the spread in pay also reflects differences between those with a PE license versus those without. To maximize potential earnings, civil engineers should focus on obtaining licensure, consider working for top-tier firms, and align themselves with infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is set to drive demand in the coming years.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
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 $92,131 for civil engineersin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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