Civil Engineer Salary in Flint, MI: $84,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Flint, MI earns a median $84,259/year (≈ $40.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Flint's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $90,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.9% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, civil engineers in Flint, Michigan are expected to earn a median annual salary of $84,259, reflecting the significant impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on local job opportunities. The salary range for this role will be quite diverse, with entry-level positions beginning at approximately $63,692 while experienced professionals can earn up to $139,002. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reveals a local market that is actively shaped by infrastructure investments, promoting hiring across various sectors, including consulting, governmental agencies, and private development. With 190 civil engineers currently employed in the area, Flint presents a promising environment for those seeking to advance in this vital profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,692 | $30.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,014 | $33.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,259 | $40.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,253 | $51.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,002 | $66.83 |
Median Salary Position
18.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
In Flint, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,310 (2026 est.). At $84,259, the local median is 18.58% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flint: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flint Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Flint median: $84,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flint Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,738 | -12.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -18.58% less |
Civil Engineers in Flint, MI earn a median of $84,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.58% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 12.90% below the Michigan state average of $96,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flint has a cost of living 6.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flint, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.034 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $84,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,370
2025 BLS Actual
$82,100
2026 Current Est.
$84,259
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,475 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flint metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 16.7% from $70,370 (2019) to $82,100 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,475 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,105 (22.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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) | $63,692 – $70,014 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,014 – $84,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,259 – $106,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,253 – $139,002 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Flint
The cost of living in Flint, with an index of 93.034, plays a significant role in the purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Flint MI. This relatively low cost translates into more value for take-home salaries, allowing engineers to enjoy a reasonable standard of living. Major employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and various Fortune 500 construction firms offer competitive salaries, especially for those who hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license. This credential often acts as a gateway to higher-paying positions. The variation in pay can also be attributed to the specialty areas within civil engineering—such as structural, geotechnical, or transportation—which can command premium salaries. To maximize pay in this local market, engineers should consider pursuing additional certifications, networking within top local firms, and focusing on positions tied to BIL-funded projects, which are likely to lead to greater job stability and financial rewards.
More salary data for Flint, 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 $82,100 for civil engineersin the Flint 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