Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus, NE: $88,426 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Columbus, NE earns a median $88,426/year (≈ $42.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $96,640 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Columbus, Nebraska, can anticipate a median annual salary of $88,426 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national average of $103,492. The local salary range spans from $66,771 at the 10th percentile to $137,060 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal a landscape where compensation varies significantly depending on the type of employer. Consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, while positions in local government or public works might yield less. In Columbus, the unique job market requires professionals to navigate these distinctions effectively, particularly as infrastructure spending sees an uptick due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,771 | $32.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,873 | $35.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,426 | $42.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,189 | $52.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,060 | $65.90 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,289 (2026 est.). At $88,426, the local median is 14.56% 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: $88,426/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,675 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -14.56% less |
Civil Engineers in Columbus, NE earn a median of $88,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $94,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $88,426 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,640 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,386
2025 BLS Actual
$86,160
2026 Current Est.
$88,426
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 | $74,386 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,847 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,426 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $74,386 (2019) to $86,160 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,366 (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) | $66,771 – $73,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,873 – $88,426 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,426 – $108,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,189 – $137,060 |
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
The civil engineer job market in Columbus remains somewhat limited, with only four engineers currently employed in the area, but this small number creates a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living index at 91.5 indicates that expenses in Columbus are below the national average, suggesting that engineers may enjoy a favorable purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national benchmarks. In this market, the differences in pay are commonly driven by factors such as the necessity of a PE license for advancement, specialization areas (like transportation or geotechnical engineering), and the size of the firms. To maximize salary opportunities in Columbus, engineers should consider aligning their career paths with higher-paying sectors, such as those represented by top consulting firms, while also keeping an eye on emerging projects funded by the BIL that may lead to more lucrative positions in the public sector or through private developers.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 $86,160 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