Civil Engineer Salary in Ruston, LA: $97,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Ruston, LA earns a median $97,881/year (≈ $47.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $108,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a civil engineer in Ruston, Louisiana, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,881. This figure represents a notable point for professionals progressing from the FE to the PE licensure, which can significantly enhance salary potentials. Salaries for civil engineers in this area range from $70,512 at the 10th percentile to as high as $149,772 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a competitive environment for those with specialized skills and licensure. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect Ruston's unique labor market dynamics. With only four civil engineers currently employed locally, opportunities and compensation can vary widely based on expertise and employer type.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,512 | $33.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,881 | $47.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,984 | $59.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,772 | $72.01 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,260 (2026 est.). At $97,881, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Ruston median: $97,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,748 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.42% less |
Civil Engineers in Ruston, LA earn a median of $97,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $101,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston 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.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,881 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,340
2025 BLS Actual
$95,373
2026 Current Est.
$97,881
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,691 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,456 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,340 (2019) to $95,373 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,116 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $70,512 – $79,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,300 – $97,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,881 – $122,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,984 – $149,772 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Ruston
Ruston's relatively affordable cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 90.3, allows engineers to maximize their take-home pay compared to higher-cost regions. While only a few positions exist, organizations such as engineering consulting firms and construction companies are the primary employers, with top firms likely providing the highest pay. The broad salary range is influenced by factors such as the attainment of a PE license, specialization in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and firm size. Candidates aspiring to increase their civil engineer pay in Ruston, LA, should consider pursuing advanced roles in project management or developing niche specialties that align with current infrastructure spending trends, particularly those driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Engaging with top-tier firms like AECOM or Jacobs could also enhance compensation prospects significantly.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 $95,373 for civil engineersin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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