Civil Engineer Salary in Mankato, MN: $131,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Mankato, MN earns a median $131,592/year (≈ $63.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Mankato's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $144,678 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.7% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Mankato, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $131,592, significantly above the national median of $103,492. Salaries within this field vary widely, ranging from $78,307 at the 10th percentile to $160,103 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The potential for salary growth often correlates with advancing through the FE-to-PE progression, as obtaining a Professional Engineer license typically leads to higher compensation in both technical and managerial roles. This factor, combined with the growing demand for civil engineers driven by infrastructure initiatives, suggests a strong job market for professionals in Mankato.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,307 | $37.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,577 | $51.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,592 | $63.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,190 | $65.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,103 | $76.97 |
Median Salary Position
27.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mankato
In Mankato, MN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,796 (2026 est.). At $131,592, the local median is 27.15% above the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Mankato: You'd be above the median
How Mankato Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Mankato median: $131,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mankato Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $103,861 | +26.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +27.15% more |
Civil Engineers in Mankato, MN earn a median of $131,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.15% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 26.70% above the Minnesota state average of $103,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mankato has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mankato, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.955 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $131,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,678 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,620
2025 BLS Actual
$128,220
2026 Current Est.
$131,592
2019–2027 Growth
+61.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mankato (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,053 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mankato metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 53.3% from $83,620 (2019) to $128,220 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,053 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,433 (61.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mankato 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) | $78,307 – $107,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,577 – $131,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,592 – $136,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,190 – $160,103 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Mankato
The local job market features approximately 50 civil engineers, indicating a specialized employment pool within Mankato. Given the area’s cost of living index at 90.955, aspiring engineers will find their take-home pay more impactful, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle despite slightly lower earnings compared to national averages. Notably, top salaries in Mankato are primarily offered by engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, along with state departments of transportation and local public works. Factors that influence the range of civil engineer pay in the area include the level of licensure, specialization in high-demand areas like structural and transportation engineering, and the distinction between private sector and governmental roles. Strategies for maximizing salary potential include pursuing a PE license, targeting high-tier consulting firms, and focusing on emerging projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which promises increased demand for civil engineering expertise in Mankato, MN.
More salary data for Mankato, MN:
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 $128,220 for civil engineersin the Mankato 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