Civil Engineer Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $91,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $91,320/year (≈ $43.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $104,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $91,320 in 2026, civil engineer salary in Hattiesburg reflects a competitive yet nuanced market compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range spans from $45,404 at the 10th percentile to $153,729 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the varying pay based on role, expertise, and employer type. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the choices available for engineers in this city. Those who position themselves within top-tier engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs may find better compensation compared to their counterparts in government roles or smaller construction firms, enhancing the appeal of pursuing such opportunities in this distinct market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,404 | $21.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,767 | $32.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,320 | $43.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,624 | $56.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,729 | $73.91 |
Median Salary Position
11.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,325 (2026 est.). At $91,320, the local median is 11.76% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $91,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,660 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.76% less |
Civil Engineers in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $91,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.76% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% above the Mississippi state average of $88,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $91,320 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,510
2025 BLS Actual
$88,980
2026 Current Est.
$91,320
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 21.0% from $73,510 (2019) to $88,980 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,212 (27.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $45,404 – $67,767 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,767 – $91,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,320 – $117,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,624 – $153,729 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Hattiesburg
Engaging in the civil engineering field in Hattiesburg offers a promising career with approximately 60 professionals currently employed, albeit a relatively modest number. The cost of living index sits at 87.633, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, thereby allowing for better purchasing power on the set salaries. The highest pay levels tend to be splintered between those working in elite consulting firms and federal agencies, while local public works and state DOTs offer solid, stable roles. Several factors contribute to the differences in compensation, including the importance of obtaining a PE license, the complexity of the engineering specialty—such as structural or geotechnical—and the tier of the firm. Engineers aiming for maximum pay should consider specializing in high-demand areas and acquiring relevant certifications, while also exploring roles in firms with robust infrastructure project funding opportunities, especially those influenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, 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 $88,980 for civil engineersin the Hattiesburg 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