Civil Engineer Salary in Coralville, IA: $94,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Coralville, IA earns a median $94,138/year (≈ $45.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $104,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For civil engineers in Coralville, Iowa, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $94,138, a figure that reflects local estimates and takes into account regional cost adjustments. The salary spectrum in this area spans from $66,034 at the 10th percentile to as high as $145,914 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy range of earning potential within the profession. While this median falls below the anticipated national average of $103,492, it is important to consider that Coralville's unique job market, along with its specific licensing requirements such as the progression from the FE to the PE exam, adds further context to local compensation strategies. The market dynamics suggest that those with a Professional Engineer (PE) license or specialized expertise can command higher wages as they advance in their careers.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,034 | $31.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,972 | $36.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,138 | $45.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,205 | $55.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,914 | $70.15 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,880 (2026 est.). At $94,138, the local median is 9.04% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Coralville median: $94,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,989 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -9.04% less |
Civil Engineers in Coralville, IA earn a median of $94,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $98,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville 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.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,138 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,191
2025 BLS Actual
$91,726
2026 Current Est.
$94,138
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,667 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,191 (2019) to $91,726 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,423 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $66,034 – $74,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,972 – $94,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,138 – $115,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,205 – $145,914 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Coralville
Examining the civil engineering job market in Coralville reveals a competitive environment, with only six civil engineers currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 90.4, significantly lower than the national average, which enhances potential purchasing power for engineering salaries. Notably, salary premiums can be found among large engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies, which often pay salaries above the local averages. The variation in pay levels can be attributed to factors such as the PE license creating a divide between entry-level and senior positions, specialization in high-demand fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the tier of the employing firm. Engineers in Coralville are advised to focus on obtaining necessary licensure and developing specializations to maximize their earning potential, especially in a market increasingly influenced by federal infrastructure spending initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 $91,726 for civil engineersin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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