Civil Engineer Salary in Starkville, MS: $86,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Starkville, MS earns a median $86,249/year (≈ $41.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $100,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Starkville, MS, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $86,249. This figure places local compensation approximately 16.66% below the national median of $103,492, reflecting regional economic factors and the local cost of living. Salaries in the Starkville area vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $57,207 while experienced professionals can command as much as $132,544, capturing a broad spectrum of expertise and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicate a response to the ongoing infrastructure initiatives sparked by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, boosting demand for engineering talent and shaping job opportunities within the local market.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,207 | $27.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,889 | $34.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,249 | $41.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,061 | $51.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,544 | $63.72 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,337 (2026 est.). At $86,249, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Starkville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Starkville median: $86,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,734 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -16.66% less |
Civil Engineers in Starkville, MS earn a median of $86,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $88,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $86,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,555
2025 BLS Actual
$84,039
2026 Current Est.
$86,249
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,813 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,518 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $72,555 (2019) to $84,039 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,518 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,963 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $57,207 – $71,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,889 – $86,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,249 – $108,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,061 – $132,544 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Starkville
Currently, there are five civil engineers employed in Starkville, which suggests a competitive yet nascent job market. With a cost of living index at 85.7, engineering salaries in the area allow for decent purchasing power despite the lower average compared to national standards. Major employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and local public works departments are likely to offer the highest pay in the region. The disparity between starting and higher-end salaries can be attributed to several factors: obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialization in high-demand areas (like structural or transportation engineering), and the tier of firms, with top consulting companies generally offering better wages. Positioning oneself within project management or securing federal contracts may also enhance earning potential significantly. For those in Starkville's civil engineering field, pursuing advanced credentials and focusing on niches in the booming infrastructure market is advisable to maximize pay.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 $84,039 for civil engineersin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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