Civil Engineer Salary in Kentwood, MI: $93,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Kentwood, MI earns a median $93,351/year (≈ $44.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Kentwood's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $100,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Kentwood, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $93,351, which places the pay structure slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $64,600 at the 10th percentile to $144,694 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect regional cost adjustments, which factored in Kentwood's cost of living index of 93.2, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This environment has resulted in a unique market for civil engineers, particularly as the project's nature—whether involving consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, state government roles at DOT, or large construction corporations like Bechtel—significantly impacts compensation packages offered.
About the Kentwood Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,366 | $35.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,351 | $44.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,490 | $57.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,694 | $69.56 |
Median Salary Position
9.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kentwood
In Kentwood, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,094 (2026 est.). At $93,351, the local median is 9.8% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kentwood Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Kentwood median: $93,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,737 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -9.80% less |
Civil Engineers in Kentwood, MI earn a median of $93,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.80% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.50% below the Michigan state average of $96,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kentwood 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.
Kentwood, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $93,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,529
2025 BLS Actual
$90,959
2026 Current Est.
$93,351
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,529 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,891 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,422 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,382 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,806 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentwood metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $78,529 (2019) to $90,959 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,806 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,277 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentwood 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) | $64,600 – $74,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,366 – $93,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,351 – $119,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,490 – $144,694 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Kentwood
The civil engineer job market in Kentwood is characterized by notable employment opportunities, albeit with only seven professionals currently working in the area. The lower cost of living enhances the effective purchasing power of salaries compared to other regions. Engineering consulting firms typically offer higher salaries, especially for those holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can be essential for career advancement in project management or specialized technical tracks. The differences in pay often arise from firm type, project complexity, and specialization, with licenses in structural or geotechnical engineering commanding a premium. Those looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Kentwood, MI, should consider pursuing advanced certifications and focusing on infrastructure projects funded by new federal initiatives, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which are poised to create high-demand roles across various sectors in the coming years.
More salary data for Kentwood, 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 $90,959 for civil engineersin the Kentwood 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 Kentwood 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