Civil Engineer Salary in Marion, IA: $97,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Marion, IA earns a median $97,319/year (≈ $46.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $107,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Significant infrastructure investments driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are creating a buoyant job market for civil engineers in Marion, IA, where the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $97,319. The salary range for this profession runs from $66,346 at the 10th percentile to $150,845 at the 90th percentile, providing ample opportunity for both entry-level and experienced engineers. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight a competitive landscape fueled by local project demand and hiring needs, suggesting a strong upward trajectory for civil engineer pay in Marion as infrastructure projects unfold.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,346 | $31.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,516 | $36.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,319 | $46.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,182 | $59.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,845 | $72.52 |
Median Salary Position
5.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,499 (2026 est.). At $97,319, the local median is 5.96% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Marion median: $97,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $99,002 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.96% less |
Civil Engineers in Marion, IA earn a median of $97,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.96% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $99,002.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,654 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,867
2025 BLS Actual
$94,825
2026 Current Est.
$97,319
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,798 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,825 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,867 (2019) to $94,825 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,011 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $66,346 – $76,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,516 – $97,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,319 – $123,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,182 – $150,845 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Marion
In Marion, the local job market sees only six civil engineers currently employed, which indicates a niche but selective field. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that take-home pay for civil engineers may stretch further than in higher-cost locales. Among employers, top engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs are known to offer competitive pay, especially for those holding a PE license, which often serves as a gatekeeper for senior roles and project management opportunities. Variability in compensation can also be influenced by specialty areas (like geotechnical or structural engineering), firm size, and public versus private sector employment. Engineers aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Marion should consider obtaining their PE credential, seeking advanced project management training, and exploring opportunities across both government agencies and private firms to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $94,825 for civil engineersin the Marion 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 Marion 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