Civil Engineer Salary in Southfield, MI: $96,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Southfield, MI earns a median $96,501/year (≈ $46.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Southfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $103,542 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Southfield, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $96,501, reflecting the local demand for engineering expertise. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $103,492, illustrating the competitive nature of the job market in this region. The salary range for civil engineers spans from $62,839 at the lower tenth percentile to an impressive $149,576 at the top ninetieth percentile, where professionals often work with major engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs or secure senior roles in construction companies. These estimates have been derived from state-level BLS data while considering regional cost of living adjustments, underscoring a unique local economic environment where the structural divide between consulting, government, and construction sectors heavily influences pay.
About the Southfield Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,839 | $30.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,994 | $35.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,501 | $46.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,521 | $59.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,576 | $71.91 |
Median Salary Position
6.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southfield
In Southfield, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,737 (2026 est.). At $96,501, the local median is 6.76% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southfield Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Southfield median: $96,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,791 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.76% less |
Civil Engineers in Southfield, MI earn a median of $96,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $96,791.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southfield 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.
Southfield, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,542 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,179
2025 BLS Actual
$94,028
2026 Current Est.
$96,501
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,179 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,587 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,102 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,412 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,515 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,028 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southfield metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,179 (2019) to $94,028 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,860 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southfield 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) | $62,839 – $73,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,994 – $96,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,501 – $123,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,521 – $149,576 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Southfield
Civil engineers in Southfield navigate a job market characterized by a moderate local employment landscape, with only 19 professionals currently in the field. This translates into stiff competition for lucrative positions, especially given the area's cost-of-living index standing at 93.2, which is below the national average. Such a factor may enhance purchasing power, making salaries appear more favorable in context. Among the various employers in Southfield, those within top-tier engineering consulting firms generally offer the highest compensation packages. Factors contributing to the salary disparity include the necessity of obtaining a PE license for senior positions and specialization areas, such as structural or geotechnical engineering, which can command premium pay. Additionally, pursuing a project manager track could provide greater financial rewards than remaining on the technical individual contributor path. Aspiring engineers should seek continuous professional development and networking opportunities to maximize their earning potential in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Southfield, 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 $94,028 for civil engineersin the Southfield 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 Southfield 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