Civil Engineer Salary in Muscatine, IA: $92,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Muscatine, IA earns a median $92,434/year (≈ $44.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $102,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muscatine, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 stands at $92,434, indicating a competitive market compared to the national median of $103,492. Local salaries range from $69,722 at the lower end to $141,617 at the upper percentile, showcasing variability based on factors such as specific employer type and project engagement. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data note a significant split between consulting firms, government roles, and construction positions. For civil engineers in this area, the distinctions in pay often reflect the nuances of working in high-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs versus state and federal government roles, as well as the booming construction market driven by infrastructure spending.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,722 | $33.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,239 | $37.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,434 | $44.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,457 | $55.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,617 | $68.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,895 (2026 est.). At $92,434, the local median is 10.68% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $92,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,965 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -10.68% less |
Civil Engineers in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $92,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.68% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $98,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $92,434 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,757
2025 BLS Actual
$90,065
2026 Current Est.
$92,434
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,757 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,106 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,642 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,644 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,065 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,757 (2019) to $90,065 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,108 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $69,722 – $77,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,239 – $92,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,434 – $116,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,457 – $141,617 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Muscatine
Currently, only five civil engineers are employed in Muscatine, a factor that can slightly limit the dynamics of supply and demand in salary negotiations. The city’s cost of living index of 90.4 suggests that take-home pay might stretch further than in higher-cost areas, making it practical for engineers to factor in living expenses when considering job offers. Among employers, engineering consulting firms generally lead in compensation, while government roles typically follow, influenced by local budget allocations. The range of salaries can be impacted by variables such as professional licensure (PE designation), specialty areas (like structural or transportation engineering), and individual firm tier, highlighting a disparity that can significantly affect annual earnings. Civil engineers aiming to maximize their pay should consider enhancing their credentials and seeking opportunities within high-end consulting firms or federal contracts, where compensation for complex infrastructure projects may remain robust in light of funding surges from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 $90,065 for civil engineersin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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