Civil Engineer Salary in Dearborn Heights, MI: $96,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Dearborn Heights, MI earns a median $96,685/year (≈ $46.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Dearborn Heights's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $103,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dearborn Heights, Michigan, the projected median annual compensation for civil engineers is $96,685 as of 2026. This figure reflects a competitive environment where salaries range significantly from $63,356 at the lower end (P10) to $149,861 for those reaching the top tier (P90). Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments show that this market has a unique structure influenced by the local demand for civil engineering, which encompasses opportunities in consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government positions, and construction roles. The diversity of employers can impact earnings, giving professionals several pathways to explore, emphasizing the importance of aligning career objectives with specific sectors within this local economy.
About the Dearborn Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,356 | $30.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,357 | $35.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,685 | $46.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,594 | $58.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,861 | $72.05 |
Median Salary Position
6.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn Heights
In Dearborn Heights, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,505 (2026 est.). At $96,685, the local median is 6.58% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn Heights Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Dearborn Heights median: $96,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,781 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.58% less |
Civil Engineers in Dearborn Heights, MI earn a median of $96,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.58% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $96,781.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn Heights 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.
Dearborn Heights, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,685 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,333
2025 BLS Actual
$94,207
2026 Current Est.
$96,685
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dearborn Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,333 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,744 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,024 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,227 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn Heights metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,333 (2019) to $94,207 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,227 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,894 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn Heights 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) | $63,356 – $74,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,357 – $96,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,685 – $121,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,594 – $149,861 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Dearborn Heights
The job market for civil engineers in Dearborn Heights is relatively small, with just 13 professionals working in the area. However, the cost of living index is favorable, sitting at 93.2, which suggests that engineers in this region enjoy a better purchasing power than many of their counterparts elsewhere. High-end salaries are typically found at major engineering consulting firms, which generally offer better pay compared to government or smaller local firms. Factors such as possessing a PE license can significantly influence pay scales, as it often determines eligibility for senior-level roles and project management positions. Many engineers benefit from the influx of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has spurred demand for skilled professionals in infrastructure projects. To maximize earning potential in Dearborn Heights, aiming for positions at top-tier consulting firms and continuously upgrading credentials can prove advantageous, particularly as the local market continues to respond to ongoing infrastructure needs.
More salary data for Dearborn Heights, 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 $94,207 for civil engineersin the Dearborn Heights 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 Dearborn Heights 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