Civil Engineer Salary in St. Paul, MN: $106,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in St. Paul, MN earns a median $106,415/year (≈ $51.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $108,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in St. Paul, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,415, which reflects a 2.82% increase over the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $70,964 and seasoned professionals earning up to $164,943 annually. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. For civil engineers seeking licensure to progress from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE), this credential can significantly enhance compensation, considering the growing demand driven by recent infrastructure investments in the St. Paul area.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,964 | $34.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,687 | $40.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,415 | $51.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,212 | $65.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,943 | $79.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,979 (2026 est.). At $106,415, the local median is 2.82% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Civil Engineer Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $106,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $103,820 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +2.82% more |
Civil Engineers in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $106,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.50% above the Minnesota state average of $103,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $106,415 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,036 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,519
2025 BLS Actual
$103,688
2026 Current Est.
$106,415
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,519 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,537 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,267 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $89,519 (2019) to $103,688 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,695 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $70,964 – $83,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,687 – $106,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,415 – $136,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,212 – $164,943 |
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. Paul
Employment conditions in St. Paul present a unique opportunity for civil engineers, with around 80 professionals currently filling roles across various sectors. The local cost of living index sits at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which can influence the purchasing power of civil engineer salaries. The highest salaries typically come from top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs or large construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. Factors driving the broad salary range include the level of specialization—such as structural versus geotechnical engineering—and the firm’s size. Engineers aiming to maximize civil engineer pay in St. Paul should consider pursuing roles that leverage their PE licensing, networking effectively with major firms, and aligning with sectors benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has spurred growth and spending in the region.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $103,688 for civil engineersin the St. Paul 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. Paul 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