Civil Engineer Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI: $96,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in St. Clair Shores, MI earns a median $96,187/year (≈ $46.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in St. Clair Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $103,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in St. Clair Shores, MI, can expect a median annual salary of $96,187, a figure that is relatively lower compared to the national average of $103,492. The local salary range for civil engineers spans from $66,723 at the 10th percentile to a robust $149,090 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various stages of career progression. Achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance compensation potential, marking a clear distinction between entry-level positions and senior roles. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors, providing valuable insights into the local job market dynamics for civil engineering professionals in St. Clair Shores.
About the St. Clair Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,723 | $32.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,187 | $46.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,119 | $59.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,090 | $71.68 |
Median Salary Position
7.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Clair Shores
In St. Clair Shores, MI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,367 (2026 est.). At $96,187, the local median is 7.06% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Clair Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Clair Shores Civil Engineer Pay Compares
St. Clair Shores median: $96,187/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Clair Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $96,767 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.06% less |
Civil Engineers in St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $96,187 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.06% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $96,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Clair Shores 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.
St. Clair Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,187 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,915
2025 BLS Actual
$93,722
2026 Current Est.
$96,187
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,121 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,722 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,915 (2019) to $93,722 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,802 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Clair Shores 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) | $66,723 – $77,040 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,040 – $96,187 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,187 – $123,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,119 – $149,090 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in St. Clair Shores
The civil engineer job market in St. Clair Shores is relatively small, with approximately 13 employed professionals, which can lead to a competitive environment for roles. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the purchasing power of civil engineer salaries is enhanced, making the local economy more appealing. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs often offer higher salaries, targeting experienced engineers with specialized skills in structural or transportation engineering. Variability in compensation is influenced by factors such as the PE credential, specialty areas, firm size, and the current infrastructure investment spurred by legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Engineers looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing a PE license, gaining project management experience, and aligning themselves with leading consulting firms that are actively engaging in significant projects within the region. With strategic choices, they can enhance their civil engineer pay in St. Clair Shores, MI.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, 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 $93,722 for civil engineersin the St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores 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