Civil Engineer Salary in Paducah, KY: $103,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Paducah, KY earns a median $103,605/year (≈ $49.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $120,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Paducah, Kentucky, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,605, slightly above the national median of $103,492. This salary range varies significantly, with the 10th percentile earning approximately $68,875 while the 90th percentile can command up to $228,608. The compensation structure reflects a division in the job market, largely influenced by the employer type—engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher salaries compared to government roles within the Kentucky Department of Transportation (DOT) or construction companies. The data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights that the job market in Paducah is shaped by a mix of local infrastructure projects and general demand for civil engineering professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,875 | $33.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,946 | $39.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,605 | $49.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,686 | $68.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,608 | $109.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $159,733 (2026 est.). At $103,605, the local median is 0.11% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Paducah Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Paducah median: $103,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.11% more |
Civil Engineers in Paducah, KY earn a median of $103,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.11% higher than the national median of $103,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $103,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,353 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,155
2025 BLS Actual
$100,950
2026 Current Est.
$103,605
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,155 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,667 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,330 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $87,155 (2019) to $100,950 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,330 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,175 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $68,875 – $82,946 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,946 – $103,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,605 – $142,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,686 – $228,608 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Paducah
The local job market features about 80 civil engineers, presenting a modest yet competitive employment landscape. With a cost of living index at 86.084, engineers in Paducah enjoy a favorable economic environment that enhances their purchasing power relative to other regions. Notably, top-tier consulting firms tend to offer higher remuneration, influenced by project complexities and the need for PEs in senior roles. The pay gap can be attributed to factors such as specialty areas—structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering—which command premiums, as well as firm reputation and public funding shifts due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). For those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Paducah, pursuing licensure (PE) and aligning with firms that are well-equipped for high-value projects can significantly impact opportunities for advancement and income stability.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $100,950 for civil engineersin the Paducah 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, 2-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