Civil Engineer Salary in Battle Creek, MI: $98,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Battle Creek, MI earns a median $98,545/year (≈ $47.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Battle Creek's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.5), that paycheck buys what $108,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Battle Creek, MI can expect a median annual salary of $98,545, reflecting a competitive position when compared to the national median salary of $103,492. The local salary range is projected to span from $67,726 at the 10th percentile to $151,287 at the 90th percentile, representing significant earning potential depending on experience and specialization. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the varying compensation among different sectors, including consulting, government, and construction. Engineers working for prominent firms such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to command higher salaries compared to those employed by local public works departments or state departments of transportation, emphasizing the structural differences in the job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,726 | $32.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,342 | $37.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,545 | $47.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,980 | $58.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,287 | $72.73 |
Median Salary Position
4.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Battle Creek
In Battle Creek, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,561 (2026 est.). At $98,545, the local median is 4.78% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Battle Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Battle Creek Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Battle Creek median: $98,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Battle Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,803 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.78% less |
Civil Engineers in Battle Creek, MI earn a median of $98,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% above the Michigan state average of $96,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Battle Creek has a cost of living 9.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Battle Creek, MI has a cost-of-living index of 90.541 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,545 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,840 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,670
2025 BLS Actual
$96,020
2026 Current Est.
$98,545
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Battle Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Battle Creek metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 26.9% from $75,670 (2019) to $96,020 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,467 (33.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Battle Creek 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) | $67,726 – $77,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,342 – $98,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,545 – $120,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,980 – $151,287 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Battle Creek
With approximately 50 civil engineers currently employed in the area, Battle Creek's job market offers unique dynamics influenced by local factors. The cost of living index stands at 90.541, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living relative to national standards, which in turn can support a greater purchasing power for engineers. Within this market, employers that typically offer the most competitive pay include elite engineering consulting firms and major construction companies. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to factors such as professional licensure (PE), specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and firm tier, with leading firms generally providing better compensation. Engineers aiming to maximize their salary in Battle Creek should consider gaining their PE license and developing niche expertise in emerging infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ultimately aligning their career paths with sectors experiencing growth.
More salary data for Battle Creek, MI:
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 $96,020 for civil engineersin the Battle Creek 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, 7-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