Civil Engineer Salary in Central, LA: $97,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Central, LA earns a median $97,783/year (≈ $47.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Central's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $108,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central, Louisiana, the anticipated median salary for civil engineers in 2026 is projected at $97,783 annually. This salary reflects current trends and adjustments based on BLS state-level data and regional price variations. Salary ranges for civil engineers in the area start at $70,649 (10th percentile) and can reach up to $151,563 (90th percentile), suggesting significant income diversity depending on factors like experience, specialization, and employer type. Additionally, the cost of living in Central is slightly below the national average, which may influence overall purchasing power and job competition. The employment outlook for civil engineering in Central is promising, with growing demand driven by local infrastructure projects and economic developments.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,649 | $33.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,054 | $38.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,783 | $47.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,703 | $59.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,563 | $72.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Central
In Central, LA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,914 (2026 est.). At $97,783, the local median is 5.52% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Central: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Central Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Central median: $97,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Central Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,751 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.52% less |
Civil Engineers in Central, LA earn a median of $97,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.52% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $101,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Central has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Central, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,783 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,287 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,257
2025 BLS Actual
$95,277
2026 Current Est.
$97,783
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,684 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Central metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,257 (2019) to $95,277 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,097 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Central 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) | $70,649 – $80,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,054 – $97,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,783 – $124,703 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,703 – $151,563 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Central
The local job market features only five civil engineers, which indicates a niche yet potentially competitive environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.3, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, the affordability can enhance overall quality of life for residents. Among the highest-paying employers in Central are engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, as well as local public works departments. The broad salary range is driven by factors such as the attainment of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialized skills in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and varying firm tiers. Those aspiring to maximize their pay in this market should consider paths that lead to licensure, seek positions with top-tier firms, and remain adaptable to evolving infrastructure demands fueled by legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Investing in professional development and networking within the local engineering community can also lead to better compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Central, LA:
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 $95,277 for civil engineersin the Central 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 Central 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