Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus, MS: $83,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Columbus, MS earns a median $83,401/year (≈ $40.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $97,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Columbus, Mississippi can expect a median annual salary of $83,401, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. The salary range for this occupation spans from $56,867 at the 10th percentile to $123,865 at the 90th percentile, providing a wide spectrum of earnings based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, demonstrate that while Columbus's salaries are lower than the national median of $103,492, they still offer a solid income relative to the cost of living index, which stands at 85.7. Such a salary can significantly influence career paths and professional development timelines, especially as gaining licensure through the FE to PE progression inevitably enhances earning potential in this field.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,867 | $27.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,394 | $33.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,401 | $40.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,717 | $49.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,865 | $59.55 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,998 (2026 est.). At $83,401, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Columbus median: $83,401/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,725 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -19.41% less |
Civil Engineers in Columbus, MS earn a median of $83,401 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $88,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $83,401 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,317 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,159
2025 BLS Actual
$81,264
2026 Current Est.
$83,401
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,376 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,595 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $70,159 (2019) to $81,264 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,595 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,436 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $56,867 – $70,394 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,394 – $83,401 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,401 – $102,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,717 – $123,865 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Columbus
Despite having only six civil engineers currently employed in the area, Columbus’s civil engineer pay reflects broader market dynamics influenced by both local demand and the cost of living. The relatively low cost of living allows for greater purchasing power, making the civil engineer salary in Columbus more appealing. Employers such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs generally provide the highest compensation, while government roles may lag behind. The wide pay range here can be attributed to variations in specialization — civil engineers focusing on in-demand areas such as geotechnical or structural projects may command higher salaries. Aside from pursuing a PE license to access more advanced positions, engineers can maximize their pay by specializing in federally funded projects tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has significantly increased infrastructure spending and created new opportunities in the region.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 $81,264 for civil engineersin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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