Civil Engineer Salary in Canton, MI: $94,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Canton, MI earns a median $94,600/year (≈ $45.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Canton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $101,502 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Canton, Michigan, the civil engineer salary in 2026 is projected at $94,600, which is below the national median of $103,492. The anticipated pay range spans from $65,876 at the 10th percentile to $146,631 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a wide disparity. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for factors like the region's cost of living, which is lower, with a CoL index of 93.2, indicating that expenses in Canton are more manageable than in many places across the country. For professionals on the FE-to-PE progression, obtaining licensure can significantly boost earning potential, placing individuals on a trajectory toward higher salaries as they transition from entry-level to advanced positions in the field.
About the Canton Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,876 | $31.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,961 | $36.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,600 | $45.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,088 | $58.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,631 | $70.50 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,755 (2026 est.). At $94,600, the local median is 8.59% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Canton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Canton median: $94,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,728 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.59% less |
Civil Engineers in Canton, MI earn a median of $94,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% below the Michigan state average of $96,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,502 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,580
2025 BLS Actual
$92,176
2026 Current Est.
$94,600
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,831 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,176 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,580 (2019) to $92,176 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,508 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $65,876 – $75,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,961 – $94,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,600 – $121,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,088 – $146,631 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Canton
The job market for civil engineers in Canton features around 25 currently employed professionals, suggesting a focused yet competitive landscape. Given the lower cost of living, civil engineer pay in Canton, MI, allows for reasonable purchasing power, making it attractive for those looking to establish their careers here. Engineering consulting firms, particularly top-tier companies like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, typically offer the highest salaries in the region, often due to large-scale infrastructure projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Factors influencing the pay gap include the PE license, which is crucial for securing senior roles, as well as specialties within civil engineering that command premiums, such as geotechnical and structural engineering. For professionals in Canton, strategically aligning with high-paying sectors, pursuing licensure, and cultivating experience in sought-after specialties can yield considerable benefits in salary potential.
More salary data for Canton, 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 $92,176 for civil engineersin the Canton 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 Canton 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