Civil Engineer Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $84,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Kirkwood, MO earns a median $84,639/year (≈ $40.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Kirkwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $94,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kirkwood, Missouri, is experiencing a shift in its civil engineering job market, driven significantly by infrastructure investments outlined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With a median annual salary of $84,639 for civil engineers in 2026, the local pay scale shows a range from $59,009 at the lower 10th percentile to as much as $131,191 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living metrics, reflect a competitive landscape for professionals in Kirkwood. As the infrastructure boom continues, firms in and around the area are likely to maintain a strong hiring trend to meet increasing project demands.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,009 | $28.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,445 | $32.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,639 | $40.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,973 | $51.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,191 | $63.08 |
Median Salary Position
18.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkwood
In Kirkwood, MO, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,182 (2026 est.). At $84,639, the local median is 18.22% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkwood Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Kirkwood median: $84,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $85,322 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -18.22% less |
Civil Engineers in Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $84,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $85,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $84,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,200
2025 BLS Actual
$82,470
2026 Current Est.
$84,639
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkwood metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $71,200 (2019) to $82,470 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,665 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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) | $59,009 – $67,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,445 – $84,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,639 – $107,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,973 – $131,191 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Kirkwood
Currently, there are five civil engineers employed in Kirkwood, revealing a tighter job market that could lead to more competitive salaries, particularly at the higher end of the spectrum. The cost of living index in Kirkwood stands at 89.6, which is below the national average, thereby enhancing take-home earnings. Among local employers, leading engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs are known to offer some of the highest salaries, along with prominent construction companies and government entities. Factors influencing earnings variability include the level of professional licensing (with PE credentials being critical), areas of specialization, and firm type – where prestigious firms typically offer better pay than smaller local firms or government positions. An effective strategy for maximizing earnings in this market includes pursuing advanced licensure and selecting roles within high-demand specialties or project management tracks that align with ongoing funding from the BIL projects.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 $82,470 for civil engineersin the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood 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