Civil Engineer Salary in Madisonville, KY: $98,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Madisonville, KY earns a median $98,701/year (≈ $47.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Madisonville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $110,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Madisonville, Kentucky, the surge in infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has notably influenced the hiring landscape for civil engineers. The projected median salary of $98,701 reflects a strong positioning within the market, despite sitting a bit lower than the national median of $103,492. Local engineers can expect a salary range from $69,504 at the lower end to $145,638 at the top, indicating a spectrum of opportunities tailored to various levels of experience and specialization. These figures, derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight Madisonville's development potential, particularly for those entering the field.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,504 | $33.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,802 | $37.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,701 | $47.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,973 | $58.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,638 | $70.01 |
Median Salary Position
4.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madisonville
In Madisonville, KY, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,134 (2026 est.). At $98,701, the local median is 4.63% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madisonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madisonville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Madisonville median: $98,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madisonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $103,569 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.63% less |
Civil Engineers in Madisonville, KY earn a median of $98,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.70% below the Kentucky state average of $103,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madisonville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madisonville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,701 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,030
2025 BLS Actual
$96,172
2026 Current Est.
$98,701
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,974 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,865 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,172 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madisonville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,030 (2019) to $96,172 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,267 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madisonville 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) | $69,504 – $78,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,802 – $98,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,701 – $120,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,973 – $145,638 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Madisonville
While only five civil engineers are currently employed in Madisonville, the relatively low cost of living, indexed at 89.3 compared to the national average, enhances overall purchasing power for local professionals. The competitive landscape features a mix of employers, with large engineering consulting firms typically offering the highest pay. Positions at companies like AECOM or Jacobs often command more substantial compensation than roles in government agencies or smaller firms. Factors influencing salary variability include individual credentials such as the PE license, specialized expertise in areas like transportation or structural engineering, and the distinctions between consulting and public sector employment. Those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Madisonville, KY, should consider pursuing advanced credentials, seeking out high-demand specializations, and aligning with larger firms to capitalize on the ongoing investment in infrastructure.
More salary data for Madisonville, KY:
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 $96,172 for civil engineersin the Madisonville 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 Madisonville 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