Civil Engineer Salary in Davenport, IA: $95,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Davenport, IA earns a median $95,395/year (≈ $45.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $107,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, IA, civil engineers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $95,395 in 2026, reflecting the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's increased funding for infrastructure projects. This notable figure fits within a salary range that spans from $70,702 at the lower end (P10) to $140,839 for those in top-tier positions (P90). These salary projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlight not only the local demand for civil engineers but also the competitive market that has been shaped by significant federal commitments to infrastructure improvement. As Davenport continues to see robust hiring in this sector, future job seekers can anticipate favorable opportunities in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,702 | $33.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,641 | $38.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,395 | $45.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,867 | $58.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,839 | $67.72 |
Median Salary Position
7.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,137 (2026 est.). At $95,395, the local median is 7.82% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Davenport median: $95,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,957 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.82% less |
Civil Engineers in Davenport, IA earn a median of $95,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.82% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.60% below the Iowa state average of $98,957.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,395 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,090 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,600
2025 BLS Actual
$92,950
2026 Current Est.
$95,395
2019–2027 Growth
+10.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 4.9% from $88,600 (2019) to $92,950 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,303 (10.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $70,702 – $79,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,641 – $95,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,395 – $120,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,867 – $140,839 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Davenport
The civil engineer job market in Davenport is characterized by a solid employment figure of 410 professionals, offering a competitive edge amidst a lower cost-of-living index of 89.079, which allows for better purchasing power compared to national averages. Major employers in the area include engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as state and federal agencies, which typically offer higher salaries to attract talent. The variation in civil engineer pay in Davenport IA arises from factors such as licensing status (with a PE credential significantly boosting earning potential), specialization in fields like structural or transportation engineering, and the tier of the employing firm. Individuals aiming to maximize their salary should consider pursuing a PE license and seeking opportunities in high-demand sectors driven by infrastructure investment, where skilled civil engineers can command premium wages.
More salary data for Davenport, 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 $92,950 for civil engineersin the Davenport 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